Dennis Nicholls

Dennis Rae Nicholls

On Wednesday, June 8th, 2016 Dennis Rae Nicholls passed away surrounded by his loving daughters.

Dennis was predeceased by his parents George & Gladys (nee Sparks) Nicholls, siblings Russell and Georgina Nicholls, father-in-law Leslie Creed, sister-in-law Betty Nicholls, and brother-in-law Norman Grant.

He is survived by his wife Patricia (nee Creed) and will be lovingly remembered by his daughters Stacey (Greg) with grandchildren Austin & Alyssa Cleaver; Denyse (Ryan) with grandchildren Adam, Ashley & Georgia; Tricia (Dale) with granddaughter Angela (Ron) and papa’s first great-grandchild to be.  Also left to mourn Dennis’ passing are his brothers Alvin of Portage la Prairie, MB, Owen (Marlene) of Boissevain, MB, Keith (Betty),  Larry (Evelyn), and Bryan all of  Portage la Prairie, MB; sisters Elaine (Bob) Gregg of Dugald, MB, Memory Jean Grant of Brandon, MB, Sherrill (Jim) Batters of Dugald, MB, mother-in-law Rae Creed and sister-in-law Gail (Skitchy) Kitching, both  of Portage la Prairie, MB, sister-in-law Marie (Larry) Rispler of Carman, MB, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dad was born August 29, 1946 in Portage la Prairie, MB. He grew up on the family farm north of Oakville until the family moved into town when he was 15. He had 10 brothers and sisters, with Dad being the youngest of the boys. He attended Beautiful Valley School until grade 8, and Oakville School until grade 12.

Dad met Mom, Pat and they married on February 23, 1974. Throughout the years they raised three daughters on the Nicholls family homestead.

Dad’s first job was working at the family’s service station, then at Gillis Service in Elie, MB. Over the years he worked as a heavy equipment operator for Co-Jef Construction, E.F. Moon Construction, and  Humiski Trucking, to name a few. He also spent a couple of years working out west in the oilfield. Right up until his passing he was employed with the R.M. of Portage la Prairie.

Dad loved spending time with his daughters, grandchildren and sons-in-law. He loved to garden, hunt, fish and camp. One of his favorite pastimes was playing cards & Yahtzee. Dad was a member of the MMF-Portage Local.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, June 17, 2016 at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel at 1:00 pm.  A reception will be held in the Oakville Community Hall following the service. Interment to follow in Oakville Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Dennis’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba – Portage Office, 103 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1A7 or to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 200 – 310 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0S6 or to the Victoria General Hospital Foundation, 2340 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2E8.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com