Lana Kay Nickels, of Traverse City, MI passed away following a brief battle with cancer on Thursday, May 7, 2026. She was three weeks shy of her 80th birthday.

Lana graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in education and began her career teaching. The first few years were with the inner city Lansing schools before joining the Traverse City school system where she taught Elementary School students. She loved the students, and over the years, fourth grade became her favorite grade to teach. She ultimately retired from school teaching in 2009. In her retirement years, she enjoyed wintering in Florida and loved the camaraderie of the park that she had stayed at. Lana was also a strong member of the Lutheran Church. She enjoyed participating in the services by doing the church readings and could sing just about any hymn by heart with a brilliant smile on her face.

She will be dearly missed by her husband, Michael “Mike” Nickels; children, Nancy Nickels, Jonathan “Jon” Nickels; grandchildren, Alexis, Charles; brother, Ned (Cindy) Bromley; and sister-in-law, Sandy Bromley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernerd & Laura (Rockwell) Bromley; grandson, Andrew Nickels; brother, Max Bromley, and brother-in-law, Daniel Nickels.

A private family graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Traverse City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Feast of Victory Lutheran Church of Acme or Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Traverse City. To leave a message for the family, please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.