Karen E. Nichols, 81

ASHLAND — Karen Elaine Nichols, 81, formerly of Sanborn Road, passed away on Nov. 15, 2025, at the Belknap County Nursing Home in Laconia.

Karen was born on Mother’s Day, May 14, 1944, in Canton, Ohio, the daughter of Ralph and Coletta (Richards) Bordner.

She graduated from Glenwood High School in Canton, Ohio, in 1962, where she was active in the school band as a majorette. She met Lee Nichols in elementary school when they started dating in the eighth grade, ultimately marrying, which they were for over 60 years before his death in 2024. She loved animals, having horses, dogs, cats, pigs, chickens, and even a parrot at one point. Horses were a passion, and she rarely had less than two dogs. Peruvian Paso was her favorite horse breed, and she loved her German shepherds and Maine Coon cats. In her youth, she was a Rainbow Girl and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Ohio.

You always knew where you stood with Karen, and she would not hesitate to let you know her thoughts. Family was very important as were lifelong friendships. Thank you, Bonnie and Louise, for your years of friendship. If you were part of her circle, she would move mountains for you. Few knew that she loved to watch men’s boxing and enjoyed an occasional naughty joke. Along with family and animals, music was important to her, as well as good food.

Karen held several vocations in her career but spent the bulk of her working life in the office of Jeremy Hiltz Excavating, where she made many friends and many here were part of her extended family. Jeremy and Michael provided many entertaining stories over the years. Jenny Duncan was a near daughter to her and their connection was especially important for her. There are too many people to list, but know if you saw her and she asked how you were doing, she cared about the answer.

Karen is survived by her son, Scott Nichols and his wife Amy; two grandchildren, Heather Walker and her husband Will, and Kevin Nichols and his wife Julie; and two great-grandchildren, Carrie Walker and Gabriella Nichols.

A celebration of life will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.