Judy Carol Nichols was born on Saturday, July 8, 1944, in Twin Falls, Idaho the daughter of Gerald Wayne and Helen Elizabeth (Peck) Askew. Judy and her older sister Dorothy “Doty” learned the skill and value of hard work at an early age. They grew up helping their parents with the family farm. Her favorite food was her mother’s German chocolate cake. Long into adulthood, when the cake was being cut, a ruler and multiple witnesses were involved! Upon her graduation from high school, Judy decided to attend the University of Wyoming although she had never seen the school or even been to Laramie. She rode the train to Laramie by herself to enroll. She asked her father how she would know it was time to exit the train and he told her to watch for signs. It was there that she received her degree in elementary education. Through the years she would go back to Laramie to attend summer school and eventually attained her administrator’s degree in education. She accepted her first teaching position as an elementary teacher in Pinedale and then moved to Riverton and then completed her teaching career in Wheatland when she retired in 2001.
Judy married Jerry Nichols in December of 1990 and enjoyed 30 years traveling and adventuring with him. They would venture to Three Rivers, Texas each winter where they made many wonderful friends. They would all gather at the Nichols household for holiday meals and games until Jerry’s health declined and she became his most devoted caregiver, until his passing on August 25, 2025.
Judy loved the outdoors, especially the mountains. As her health and life allowed, she loved camping, hiking, bicycling, walking, and watching football. She loved music and at one time co-owned a record store in Wheatland, with Dan Brecht. She was an avid reader. She loved to shop, especially kitchen stores, but she rarely bought anything! She enjoyed quilting and visited many fabric stores. She thought a yard of material was certainly equivalent to the price of a fishing lure!
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Nichols; parents, Gerald and Helen Askew; and stepson, George (Susan) Nichols.
Those that mourn her passing include her sister, Dorothy (Art) Van Ausdal of Seattle, Washington; nephew, Mike (Hjordi) Van Ausdal of Riverfalls, Wisconsin; stepdaughters, Elaine (Bill) Hout of Casper, Wyoming and Susan (George) Nichols of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A service to remember Judy will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Wheatland Bible Church in Wheatland with Pastor Tony Borton officiating. Interment will be in the Wheatland Cemetery.
A memorial to the Red Cliff Bible Camp, P.O. Box 846, Pindale, WY 82941 would be appreciated by the family.
The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.
