Rhonda Mae Fechner, (Benedict), (Yancey), (Nichols), 52

| January 4, 2011 4:16 AM

Rhonda Nichols, 52, of Hauser, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010, at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene after a courageous battle with stomach cancer. She was born April 10, 1958, in Wagner, S.D., and ventured out to Cashmere, Wash., when she was only 3 months old with the rest of her family.

She spent all of her school years in the Cashmere School District and stayed in the area until 1990 when she moved to southern Idaho. In 1996 she moved to North Idaho in the Rathdrum area and finally to Hauser in 1998 where she had lived ever since. It was here that she found her real true love, David Nichols. She so loved the mountains, trees, birds, wildlife and they often took long drives to enjoy God's handiwork. Waterfalls were one of her favorite destinations. Rhonda had many trials throughout her life, but by the grace of God was able to endure through the end.

She was preceded in death by a baby sister (Joyce Carol), whom she never met but looked forward to seeing in Heaven; her father, Edmund W. Fechner and mother Fern Fechner, both in a short period of time during 1990 and 1991. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Dennis Dean Fechner.

She also leaves behind many loving relatives and friends, both locally and in the Whenatchee area and other areas of the country. Rhonda was especially close to her daughter-in-law Judy Benedict and sister-in-law Martha Williamson and their families. She also had a special closeness to the Nichols family, especially her mother-in-law, Dolores Nichols.

Survivors include two brothers, Tony Lee Fechner of Spokane and Robin Dale Fechner of Cashmere; two wonderful sons, Jason Taylor Yancey of Coeur d'Alene and Gregory Alan Benedict (wife Judy), along with their bundle of joy and heart warming memories - Greggory Abraham Benedict of Spirit Lake.

We would like to thank all the doctors and nurses at Kootenai Cancer Center and Kootenai Medical Center for their care and compassion.

Rhonda was a kind and loving person with a smile that would light up any room. May the rainbow shine, flowers bloom, birds flutter and chirp for her though eternity as she loved these so much. God bless her and keep her.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at North Country Chapel, 2281 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls. A potluck will follow in the fellowship hall.