Orvetta Pace Nickle Groom was born December 21, 1921 in Provo, Utah at her grandfather’s home to Leslie D. and Geneva C. Pace. As she always said she was going to do, she lived in her own home until her death. On October 4, 2014 while at a family gathering commemorating the 36th anniversary of the death of her first husband James L Nickle, she woke very ill with an infection in her lower leg. After a seven week battle with the infection, she succumbed to her illness on November 26, 2014 surrounded by her family, at age 92.
She married James L Nickle on April 23, 1941 in Delta, Utah, later sealed in the Manti Temple. Together they raised seven children ~ Jim (Jolinda), Kathleen Edwards (Allan), Julie Brush (Wayne), Mary, John (Marsha), Joan Kvarfordt (Tracy), and Stephen (Melanie). She was widowed October 4, 1978 and after 10 years, she again found love and married Samuel B. Groom December 29, 1987. He passed away September 27, 2002.
Her long life was filled with many accomplishments ~ personal, community, and religious. Orvetta was very musically talented and performed with many singing groups. She played the saxophone with "her" band, was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and Blue Notes. She was the last founding member of the Blue Notes “1974” and the local Messiah Production of over 50 years. She enjoyed water walking with her friends at the pool, attending the Temple, appointments with her hair dresser, lunch at the Bird Center, shopping, attending weddings and funerals, and having fun with her family. She was an accomplished writer of prose, poetry, and the script for her annual "Summer Theater" which was performed by her posterity. She was an avid fan of Delta High School sports, and later in life, her beloved Utah Jazz. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and fulfilled many callings throughout her life, including Stake Relief Society President and a mission in Louisiana (1982 – 1983) and too many other callings to mention.
She loved the Delta area and enjoyed socializing with people from all walks of life. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, six siblings, both husbands, her son: James D. Nickle, son-in-law: Brad Jensen, and two grandchildren. She is survived by a sister: Eva Dean Moody, sisters-in-law: Grayce Pace and Rosabeth Delapp, brothers-in-law: Albert Nickle (Barbara) and Ken Smith, her children and spouses. She also took great pride in her 29 Grandchildren, 58 Great-Grandchildren, and 3 Great-Great-Grandchildren with a posterity that exceeds 130 and growing.
Viewing will be held at the Delta Utah Stake Center, 125 South Whitesage Avenue, Delta, Utah, on Sunday evening, 6-8 pm; and again on Monday morning, 9:30-10:40 am, with the Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 am. Burial to follow in the Delta City Cemetery under the direction of Nickle Mortuary