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December 29, 1946 - February 7, 2022
Leawood, Kansas - Karla Storm Nicol, age 75, died after a battle with ALS, on February 7, 2022, in Kansas City, MO.
Karla is survived by her husband, David Nicol, of Leawood, KS; her sister, Laine Kathary (Doug) of Columbus, OH; her son, Jonathon Nicol (Claire); her daughter, Jennifer Sheffield (Robert), of Fairway, KS; and her beloved grandchildren, Stellan and Emmett Nicol and June and Arlo Sheffield.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Phil and Velma Kasper, of Cleveland, OH.
Karla was born on December 29, 1946 in Hollywood, CA, to Phil and Velma Kasper (both originally from Cleveland, OH). A few years later, they moved back to Cleveland, where Karla grew up, and where Karla met her husband, David (over a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the first of many bottles of wine the couple shared over their 50 years together). Karla and David met at the Case Institute of Technology, where Karla was working in the department of economics when David arrived for graduate school. Later, she worked in the corporate staff at TRW in Cleveland. Karla and David married in 1971, had two children in Cleveland in 1978 and 1982, and moved to Overland Park, KS, in 1984 after David accepted a job with United Telecom/Sprint. While not a native of Kansas City, Karla loved the arts, entertainment, and restaurants the city had to offer and quickly considered it home.
In 1994, Karla started a very successful dog grooming business. She also was a keen birdwatcher with a special love of hummingbirds (which she was known to feed by hand!). She found beauty and inspiration in the natural world and loved the simple joys of watching the thunderstorms roll in in spring and the changing leaves in the fall. She loved road trips with David, hosting big family gatherings, and waiting for the coldest day of the winter to make her famous Polish Hunter's Stew for the family. But most of all Karla loved her four grandchildren, in whose hearts she will live forever as "Mimi."
Karla will be remembered for her spicy personality, her impeccable style, and her infectious laughter. She will be deeply missed.
Visitation at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1st at McGilley and Hoge, 8024 Santa Fe Dr, Overland Park, KS 66204, followed by a service at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association or Wayside Waifs.
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Carolyn Vitale (Thompson)
I remember Karla as being a very friendly nice & considerate person. She was funny and we laughed whenever we had a class together. She will be missed.
Wendy Silverman (Levy-Jackson)
Karla was my first BFF, we met at Boulevard and remained BFF's through high school. She was adorable, thoughtful, so much fun and just terrific!! We were so fortunate to grow up in Cleveland with the best group of friends anyone could ask for. Amazing times and memories.
I was able to spend 4th of July 2021 weekend wilh her and her family. Although she was already suffering from dementia and ALS we were still able to laugh and hug and I was able to say Goodbye. I cannot imagine a Reunion without her but I am looking forward to August
Rest in peace my dear, sweet friend
Wendy
James Price
Karla was a sweet young lady in my class at Boulevard. RIP. I remember her as very friendly and a plesure to talk with. She will always be in my memory.
Bonnie Danziger (Chizek)
I am so sorry to hear of Karla's passing. A bright and shiny light gone way too soon. May her memory always be for a blessing. We were really good friends in high school and hung around on Friday nights. We double dated and triple dated. She had the brightest smile and she and she was so sweet. I'm so grateful that we were able to celebrate together at our 50th high school reunion here in Cleveland. She will be greatly missed. And my deepest condolences to her beautiful family and all the friends that loved her so.
Bonnie Chizek
Myra Mushkatel (Rosen)
I remember Karla from high school where we shared a few classes. So sweet, petite and friendly and always a smile of hello when we entered class. I am so sad that she has passed. I have such lovely memories of her. Rest in Peace sweet Karla,
Carol (Formerly Eleanor) Hammer (Willis-Holden)
I am so very sorry to hear of her passing and the circumstances of it. We were not actually close, but I admired her greatly in high school. As others have said, may her passing and her memory be a blessing.
Danny Spivack
I hadn’t posted any comments in the past as I saw many familiar names which I had fond memories. I even passed comments on good buddies like Arrol L. way back and Mike L. fairly recent. However, I can’t pass on Karla. As Wendy put it, we were “the best group of friends.” Karla was more than that during our years at Roosevelt where we met. I remember it was mostly “Danny & Karla” throughout those three years, although it was on and off as most of us couples experienced with our own relationships. Time at Heights High was different as we moved on with new friends and relationships, but our paths crossed often as we experienced a smile at one another, remembering how things were. It was nice connecting up later in life at the 40th & 50th reunions with new memories to share!
I was told about Karla’s condition a few months ago and wow, hard to believe. It was too late for me to make a call since I was told she might not remember me or any of the many things from our past that I could relate to her. From the obituary here, she seemed to become a great wife, mother and grandmother as I expected she would.
I’m grateful for the time we shared so long ago. Goodbye Karla.
Ralph Solonitz
All comments well said.Childhood memories I will treasure.Better be a heaven for
Those that made us smile.
Thank you Karla.
Avi (Allan) Weiss
I fondly remember Karla from Boulevard through Heights. If I remember correctly she lived on Oak near where I lived on Ivydale. She was always kind and had a smile for everyone. May her memory be a blessing and the courage she and her family showed through her horrible illness be an inspiration for all of us. Rest In Peace.
Ronald Silverman
So sad to hear of Karla's passing . I have many fond memories of her , especially from our junior high school days and our Heights High reunions. May Karla's memory be a blessing to her friends and family.