Phyllis Nicholson, 78, of What Cheer, died at the Mahaska Health Partnership in Oskaloosa on Friday, November 8, 2019. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 am on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at the What Cheer United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the McFarlan Cemetery at What Cheer. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer. Memorial contributions may be made to the What Cheer Methodist Church or What Cheer Opera House.

Phyllis Jo Ann Nicholson was born September 28, 1941 in Oskaloosa, Iowa the daughter of William and Elvie Craig Tancer.  She was a 1959 graduate of What Cheer High School.  She later received a teaching degree at the University of Iowa.  Phyllis taught grade school for thirty-five years in several school districts including Lacey, Keswick, Delta, and Sigourney.  She was united in marriage to Larry Nicholson on What Cheer's Centennial Celebration, July 3, 1965.  She was a member of the Opera House Board where she served since 1966, What Cheer Methodist Church, and Commercial Club.  Phyllis was a very community-minded person and always wanted the best for her community.  She was active in the What Cheer Flea Market for thirty-eight years.  Phyllis also believed in donating to charities but preferred to do so quietly.  She cared for her aging parents and her brother, Paul Tancer. Phyllis graciously assumed a maternal role to Paul's children: Billy, Tony, Lynn, Carla, Carey, and Perry Tancer.

She is preceded in death by her parents, a brother Paul Tancer: two nephews Billy and Perry Tancer.

She is survived by her husband Larry Nicholson of What Cheer, two children Rebecca (Andrew) Miller of Cedar Rapids; Joe (Amy) Nicholson of Davenport.  Phyllis also leaves behind two grandchildren, Seth (Becca Begis) Key of St. Louis, Missouri, and Alexander Nicholson of Davenport.