Nicole Ann Hanson-Howlett
July 27, 1971 ~ February 21, 2016
Nicole A. Hanson-Howlett, 44, Sioux Falls, died February 21, 2016.
Family visitation will be 5-7pm, Thursday, February 25, 2016, at Heartland Funeral Home. A prayer service will take place at 7pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Sioux Falls Humane Society.
Nicole Ann Hanson was born July 27, 1971 in Sioux Falls to Jim and Judy (Sharpneck) Hanson. She attended grade school and junior high in Sioux Falls and then attended high school in Brandon where she graduated in 1989. Nikki worked at several different places including, John Morrell, Bank First, Tel Drug, and for the last six years, for the Midco Call Center where she was a manager. On October 31, 2003, Nikki married Chris Howlett in Sioux Falls.
Nikki, was a very honest, direct, and strongly opinionated person whose heart of gold made her loved by many. She was known “to tell it like it was” and not to hold back. She was a leader amongst her friends and coworkers and cared deeply for her friends and family. Nikki and her sister were close and spent lots of quality time together shopping, laughing, and just enjoying each other’s company. She enjoyed trips with her family to the casino, playing board games, or cards at home or with her grandma. Nikki had a passion for animals. She had three cats most recently but she loved all animals. She was a true member of the “if it’s outside, I’m gonna feed it club” and was always feeding the squirrels, bunnies, and birds.
Nikki will be deeply missed by her husband, Chris, Sioux Falls; stepdaughter, Lena Stellingwerf; her father, Jim Hanson, Valley Springs; her sister, Heather Hanson, Mitchell; grandmother, Janice Hanson, Brandon; mother-in-law, Jeannie Ralston, Sioux Falls; brother-in-law, Scott Howlett, Sioux Falls; and her three cats, Razzy, Baby P, and Weasel.
Nicole was preceded in death by her mother, Judy Sharpneck; one sister, Melissa Hanson; and her grandfather, Robert Hanson.
My deepest condolences to your family during this time.
Jim, Heather, Chris, There are no words to express how deeply I feel for you all. Nicole was the most amazing person I have ever met she was the best friend an amazing boss and mentor I have ever worked with and for. Her laugh and her smile were continously contagious. The stories she would share after she spent time with you all were just simply on how much she loved and cared for her family. My deepest sympathies to you all.
My condolences to Nikki’s family. I will always remember her laugh, great attitude and giving heart. She was a blessing to many and I want to thank you for sharing her with all of us.
Janine Harris
To Nicole’s Family….
My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Nicole will be greatly missed. Her larger than life personality could fill a room. Her contagious laugh, bubbly personality and love of fur babies stood out the most to me. She was a great co-worker and I am surely going to miss the cat pun emails we used to share 🙂
Jim, Heather and Chris you are in my thoughts and prayers and I would like to close with a quote Nicole mentioned in an email around the holidays. “It’s not the years in life but the life in years that matters the most. May your life be always full of life!”
I worked with Nicole at Bankfirst many years ago. She had such a big heart and I’ll always remember her laugh. My heart goes out to her family during this difficult time.