Violet Elaine Nickell

Violet Elaine Button Nickell Violet Elaine Button was born on November 26, 1927 to Glenn and Mabel Button in the Methow Valley of Washington State. Elaine and her sister, Norma, rode horses many miles to a one room schoolhouse where they were taught by their mother. They moved from the homestead on French Creek to a log cabin near Pateros after grade school. Elaine and her lifelong friend, Margaret Miller, were co-valedictorians of Pateros High School for the class of 1945. There were eight graduates that year.

Elaine caught the eye of a returning WWII veteran Lee Nickell and they were married in August of 1947. Together they made their home in Pateros and lived for the next 50 plus years, raising Jacque, Nancy, Paul and Alice in the small community along the Columbia River apple orchards. When grandchildren began to arrive, Elaine was truly pleased to welcome them to the family and care for them in her quiet way. Elaine has ten grandchildren: David and Kyle Fewkes; Melissa, Emily, Ashley and Connie Nickell; Ben Austin, and Anna, Evie and Brandon Thomas. She has seven great-grandchildren: Austin, Emma, Hannah and Catherine Fewkes; West Austin; Chase and Logan Thomas.

Lee and Elaine enjoyed generously sharing the produce of their orchards, gardens and many rose plants with family and friends in Washington and Oregon. Months each year were spent planning for large groups of fellow Christians to go camping together in the mountains of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. These camping trips were special times for all involved and gave Lee and Elaine the special opportunity to show their Christian hospitality which they did well. Elaine was talented in so many ways and enjoyed oil painting, flower arranging, cake decorating, gardening, cooking, sewing, camping, fishing, and teaching Sunday School. She drew and painted a 10 foot tall Goliath (who joins us today) for a Vacation Bible School. After more than 57 years in Pateros, Lee and Elaine moved to Vancouver, Washington to be closer to family and friends. Shortly after Lee's passing in 2009, Elaine's sister, Norma, joined Elaine, sharing an apartment and keeping each other company. They both moved to Texas with family in 2014. After decades in a very small congregation, Elaine enjoyed so much the worship, and especially the singing and fellowship at Hillcrest along with life group encouragement.

Elaine passed away May 9, 2019, after 91 years of serving her Lord. She left this world and now has a new body and a new home for eternity. Elaine will be buried next to her husband in Pateros, Washington. Proverbs 31 Her children arise and called her blessed … but a woman who fears the lord is to be praised.