Connie Lee Nicholls, 75, of Hutchinson, passed away Oct. 19, 2016, at South Central Kansas Medical Center, Arkansas City. She was born Sept. 21, 1941, in Fairbury, Nebraska, to Bernard L. and Verna Mae (Strohm) Smith.

Connie was a 1959 graduate of Little River High School and a 1962 graduate of Mercy School of Nursing in Fort Scott as a registered nurse. She worked at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for 45 years, retiring in November 2012 as the employee health coordinator. Connie loved her job and helped numerous families over the years. She was one of the first two nurses to teach Lamaze childbirth classes at the hospital, teaching Lamaze classes from 1972-2001. Connie also loved animals and going to casinos. Her world, though, revolved around her family, by devoting her entire life as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

On Dec. 18, 1964, she married Charles Eugene "Nick" Nicholls in Salina. They shared 51 years of marriage. He survives. Other survivors include: daughters, Patti McIntosh (Jim), Nicki Dame (Dustin), all of Hutchinson; mother, Verna Mae Smith of Little River; brother, Sheldon Smith (Marty) of Little River; and grandchildren, Jamie and Jackie McIntosh, and Brandon Dame, all of Hutchinson. She was preceded in death by her father.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Chaplain Luanne Haddaway officiating. Private family burial will take place in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Chapel.

Memorials may be made to the Hutchinson Animal Shelter, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.