Diane Kay Esbeck Nichols

Diane Esbeck Nichols, 69, of Atlantic and Wiota, Iowa, passed away Friday, November 22, 2024, at Atlantic Specialty Care.

Diane Kay Esbeck was born on October 22, 1955, in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Kenneth Milton and Elizabeth McGaffin (Helmts) Esbeck. She was baptized at and attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church. At age 10, she joined Benton Townships 4-H Club. The family lived on the farm until 1968, and then moved to Atlantic. She attended school in Atlantic participating in choir in junior and senior high and band in junior high. While in high school she has fond memories of spending time volunteering during study hall as a librarian. Diane graduated from Atlantic High School in the Class of 1973. In later years she received an Associates of Arts Degree from Iowa Western Community College and also attended Buena Vista College at the Council Bluffs Campus. 

On February 9, 1974, she married Warren Kevin Lough, and the couple was blessed with sons, Dwayne and William. She was active as a Boy Scout Pack #35 Den Mother and was always there to cheer them on in their various activities. Dwayne and William never doubted her presence in the stands, as she was always the most boisterous fan. While the boys were in school, she kept herself busy volunteering for Jackson School PTO, Parish Education Social Concerns at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and was in charge of the Atlantic Refugee Resettlement Committee. 

Diane met the love of her life, Glen Nichols on April 4, 1996, and the couple married at Lewis Lake on July 21st of the same year. Diane treasured time the couple spent together and always felt she was so lucky such a sweet, kind man stood up for her whether she was right or wrong. Diane and Glen enjoyed various landscaping projects at their home over the years. 

Diane is survived by her sons, Dwayne (Kathy) Lough of Knoxville and Will Lough (Mel and Family) of Elk Horn, NE; Kathy’s brother who she thought of as a son, Ed Lewis; brother, Dean (Verna) Esbeck of Atlantic; nieces, nephews and their families, Kathy (Guy) Somers of Atlantic, Jill (Joe) Irlmeier of Atlantic, Todd (Amy) Esbeck of Waukee, and Scott Esbeck of Carroll, IA; and numerous cousins. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Elizabeth Esbeck; husband, Glen Nichols; and her maternal and paternal grandparents. 

Visitation with the family present will be held from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday, December 1st at Roland Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 2nd at Roland Funeral Home with Pastor Garry DeGeest officiating. Diane has made arrangements for you all to enjoy a wonderful meal and we invite you to this immediately following the service. A private burial will take place at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. 

Memorials are requested to the family for later designation and can be mailed in care of Diane’s family to Roland Funeral Home, PO Box 129, Atlantic, Iowa, 50022.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Diane’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.