Barbara Jean (Sanow) Nicks, 76, of Remsen, Iowa, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2025, at Happy Siesta Nursing Home.

Funeral Service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2025 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Burial will follow at Resthhaven Memory Gardens in rural Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2025 with a Prayer Service at 5:00 p.m. all at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Born on February 7, 1948, in Le Mars, Iowa, to Leslie and Eileen (Beach) Sanow, Barbara grew up in a loving home and graduated from Remsen Union High School in 1966. Her life changed forever one Sunday when she picked up Keith Nicks in her '61 Falcon—she knew right away he was the one. They married on July 18, 1970, and built a beautiful life together in Hinton, Iowa, raising their daughter Theresa Allice, and sharing 54 years of love and devotion.

Barbara's greatest joy was caring for her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who poured her heart into making a warm and loving home. She had a special gift for caring for others, running a daycare where every child was treated like her own. Her cooking and baking were legendary, filling her home with the aroma of love, comfort, and zucchini brownies. She also had a passion for crocheting, creating treasured handmade pieces for those she loved.

Family meant everything to Barbara. She treasured weekly game nights, Sunday church with her grandchildren, and any chance to spend time with loved ones. Her five grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she was their biggest supporter in all they did.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Keith Nicks of Remsen, IA; her daughter, Theresa (Jerry) Rock of Rochester, MN; and her beloved grandchildren: Kayla (Kory) Pedersen of South Sioux City, NE, Kristeen (Joe) Etter of Remsen, IA, Amber (Alex) Pedersen of Sioux City, IA, Cassandra (Paul) Rock of Battle Creek, IA, and Bryan Rock of Rochester, MN. She also leaves behind her twelve great-grandchildren: Dave, Audrey, Kamden, Sophia, Scott, Arianna, Jackson, Dallas, Naomi, Eastyn, Piper, and Veronica, as well as her siblings: Joan (Ken) Bruscher of Le Mars, IA, Jim (Becky) Sanow of Cherokee, IA, Connie (Rich) Lalk of Le Mars, IA, Tracy (Will) Lalk of Alton, IA, and Linda Sanow of Le Mars, IA. She will be deeply missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished friends.

She was welcomed into heaven by her parents, Leslie and Eileen Sanow; her brother, William "Pete" Sanow; and her sisters, Roberta Lundquist, Suzanne Nicks, and Bonnie Vander Weide, along with other dear loved ones who passed before her.

Barbara will be remembered for her incredible strength, her nurturing heart, and the unwavering love she gave to her family. As Barbara would always say, "Be Good."