Cheri (Grammy) Weigandt Nickel

Cheri (Grammy) Weigandt Nickel, 60, a longtime resident of Soap Lake, WA passed away unexpectedly at Columbia Basin Hospital on October 29, 2009 due to a heart attack.

Grammy was born on September 5, 1949 at 11:59 a.m. in Baltimore, MD to Robert and Jane Weigandt.

Grammy grew up in Virginia, attended college at the University of Maryland College Park and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology with a teaching certificate. After graduation she moved to Orlando FL where she started her teaching career teaching first grade at Winter Park Elementary School. Very soon after she met and married Ernie Nickel on November 18, 1972 and then 2 years later they started a family.  They moved to Grant County in 1979 and soon after, Grammy started working for the Soap Lake School District. In 1984 she completed her Master in Education at Central Washington University.  Grammy was a surrogate mother to all Soap Lake students and mentor for 27 years.

She will be remembered for being a Grammy, Wife and Mother, Second mother to all of her students, Drivers Education Teacher, as one of the distinguished ladies of the beach known as The Beach Babes, Mentor, Union Representative for the Soap Lake school district, Past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star,  Rebeccas, Political Activist, former city council member, Woodstock attendee, a dolphin lover, and for giving the best hugs and kisses.

Grammy is survived by her husband Ernie Nickel of Soap Lake, grandchildren Alexis and Samantha Nickel of Ephrata, son Alex and wife Mary Nickel of Ephrata, daughter Jodee and partner Dawn Nickel-Young of Vancouver, WA, mother Jane Weigandt of Orlando, FL, brother Ross and wife Roseanne Weigandt of Orlando, FL, sister Dana Weigandt of Miami, FL, and a multitude of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, students, and friends.

Grammy was preceded in death by her father Robert Weigandt. Grammy will be greatly missed but never forgotten. In accordance to Grammy’s wishes she will be cremated.

 Memorialservice for Cheri Nickel will be held on November 7, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in the Soap Lake High School. Following the memorial service there will be refreshments in the cafeteria. For further information please call 754-2155.

For those wishing to donate money in Mrs. Nickel’s name for a memorial scholarship, please contact Delores Nacke at 246-1510 or by mail at PO Box 723 Soap Lake, WA 98823.

 “A person’s true wealth is the good he or she does in the world” -Anonymous-