Nichole Wrona (Moshier, Stermer)

Many people go through life simply being alive, without ever experiencing its fullness and joy. Nichole Wrona was a young woman full of life and cherished every moment spent with her loved ones. Through work and play, hardship and illness, Nichole never lost sight of the things in life that truly mattered. With her kind and generous heart coupled with her resolute determination, Nichole brought light and life to all those within her reach.

The 1970s were a time of great technological change in America. As computers and space exploration continued to evolve, millions became fixated on television shows and movies that explored these themes. Meanwhile, George and Gayle (Courtney) Moshier of Burbank, California were celebrating the birth of their beautiful daughter, Nichole, on October 7, 1973. She was born on her father’s birthday, and was the best birthday present he could have ever received.

Nichole was one of five children with three brothers, George, Kenn and Casey, and one sister, Fawn. She was only four months old when her family left the bustling city of Burbank for quiet, suburban life in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Nichole attended the Comstock Public Schools, and spent much of her leisure time doing gymnastics and collecting teddy bears. A typical teenage girl, Nichole had the “big” hairdo style and a messy room with clothes everywhere. Lucky for her, she had a “magic fairy” (her brother George), who always cleaned up for her – she definitely had the power of persuasion. Until she turned 12 George never knew she even had a name other than Sister, they were inseparable. With the many dramas of teenage life, Nichole had two very special aunts she could turn to for a listening ear – her Aunt Judy and Shirley “Auntie.” She also has an Uncle Jim that she shared many things with. Nichole had a special bond with her mothers, brothers and sisters, they weren’t aunts and uncles, they were like her brothers and sisters as well.

Nichole graduated from Comstock High School in 1991, and then went to work as a waitress for a while. In 1992, she was married and they started a family together. Nichole was thrilled to be a mother, and each of her children’s births added yet another blessing to her life. Although Nichole’s feelings were always pretty evident, since she “wore her heart on her sleeve,” she loved to read poetry and inspirational writings, and communicate her thoughts through her own writings. She was quite passionate about her writing. Church was also important to Nichole and she was an active member of the Kalamazoo Missionary Church. She was always inspired when listening to Christian music, though she enjoyed country too.

On November 7, 1998, a wonderful thing happened to Nichole – she was introduced to John Wrona through her matchmaking girlfriend. It wasn’t long before love blossomed between the two and Nichole took fate into her own hands and asked John to marry her. A year after their first introduction, Nichole and John were happily married on December 18, 1999, in Kalamazoo. On New Year’s Eve 2010 John and Nichole renewed their wedding vows of 10 years, this was something she wanted to do. There were fireworks immediately following from Bronson Park. Determined to make a good life for her and her family, Nichole enrolled in college classes in 2007, surprisingly the same classes her sister and mother were in. She eventually became a real estate agent and proudly opened her own real estate company.

With three young children to keep her busy, Nichole didn’t have much leisure time. Though, on the occasion she did, she liked to catch an episode of Grey’s Anatomy or Brothers and Sisters. She loved her mother’s home cooked meals, Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, mocha Frappes from McDonalds and flavored coffee. Very pet friendly, Nichole grew up around dogs, which stuck with her as she had 12 dogs of all kinds running around her house at one time.

Nichole was always very strong willed and did things her way and in her own time. She was very open about her emotions, though relying on her instincts in many situations, and rarely was it wrong. After being diagnosed with Adrenal Cortical Cancer in July 2009, Nichole was a true fighter, determined to beat this disease – though she was only 1 of 600 cases worldwide. Although the doctors gave her only a few months to live, Nichole’s unrelenting fortitude kept her with her family for 11 months and 3 days. On Saturday, June 12, 2010, she passed away surrounded by her beloved family.

Learn more about Nichole, view her life story film and visit with her family and friends on Sunday, June 20, from 2-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (375-2900), where a service to honor her life will be held on Monday, June 21, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Ken Smeader officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Kalamazoo Missionary Church.

Nichole was preceded in death by her grandparents, Rolland “Curly “and Shirley Courtney, Frank and Ina Moshier, Richard Stermer, and her father, George Moshier. Survivors include her husband, John Wrona; 3 children: Anthony Wrona, Nicholas Wrona, Ashleigh Wrona; 3 brothers and 1 sister: George Moshier, Kenn (Toysa) Stermer, Fawn (Aleks) Copeland, Casey Stermer in Afghanistan, her parents: Gayle (Ken) Stermer; grandmother, Doris Stermer; father and mother-in-law, John, Sr. and Jeannine Wrona of Paw Paw; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Please visit Nichole’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home or share a memory or photo with her family. Memorial contributions may be made to the ATAC Research Fund (for Adrenal Cortical cancer research).