Loretta Catherine Gonering Nikolai

On July 11, 2014, Loretta left behind the mortal shell that served her well for the better part of 93 years. She was ready. Loretta was preceded by her husband William L Nikolai, Jr., and three of her six siblings. She left behind her two children Bill (William L, III) and Ann, both of whom currently reside in Salt Lake City; and three grandchildren Kenneth, Travis and Will (William L, IV).

Loretta was a good woman with a good intellect. She was well-read at a time when women were generally encouraged to read nothing more challenging than a recipe book. As a young woman, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. Decades later she returned to college to obtain a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Although she was, as a rule, neither a vain nor prideful woman, she found the achievement gratifying. While Loretta, like all humans, had faults and foibles, she balanced them with a lifetime of charitable works and social and political activism. She taught her children to think of others and to think for themselves. She was immensely supportive of her grandchildren-a support that will continue to shape and enhance their lives.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to pray for peace around the world, support equality for all, speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, and give generously to the disadvantaged and downtrodden, as Loretta did her entire life. And, consider voting for a Democrat once in a while.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 28th at 6:00 pm at St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center, 170 University Street in Salt Lake City.