Nyla K. Wachter

Nyla Kathleen (Nelson) Wachter passed away peacefully at the Villages at Oak Ridge, Washington, Indiana, Tuesday November 26, 2024, with her children and husband nearby. She was born in Deer Grove, Illinois, January 9, 1941, to Carl and Mabel (Bowman/McAtee) Nelson. Her beloved brothers Robert and Ronald Nelson, brother-in-law Kenneth and sister-in-law Wanda Wachter, as well as nephew Michael Kriewall preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband Roy Wachter, daughter Mary & her husband Jeff Hayes, daughter Melissa & her husband Cameron Dobson, as well as son Steve & his wife Stephanie Wachter. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Judy Nelson, brother Rich & his wife Ka Nelson, sister Norita & her husband Steve Cunningham, sister Nancy & her husband Jim Hopkins, sister-in-law Kelly (Nelson) DeDecker, sister-in-law Nancy (Wachter) Kriewall & her husband Jim Kriewall. Additionally, she is survived by her grandchildren Vicki (Hayes) & David Erdely, Will Hayes, Brittany Dobson, McKenzie Dobson, Caleigh (Dobson) Smith & husband Josh Smith, Emily Wachter, Jakob Wachter, and Andrew Wachter. Finally, she is survived by a great granddaughter Addison Smith as well as numerous wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Nyla graduated as the valedictorian from Manlius High School, Manlius, IL, where she was active in the band. She also played softball and enjoyed singing. She attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a degree in childhood development in 1962. While attending U of I, she met the love of her life Roy Wachter at the Spudnut Donut shop. She was married to Roy on September 2, 1961, and he faithfully loved & cared for her over 63 years until she departed. She worked at Green Thumb Pre-School, CATO fashions, and found a calling at the Daviess County Welfare Department as a Caseworker for over 20 years with her good friend Chris Tucker. 

Family, books, music, and traveling were many of her favorite things. She adored all of her family and visited them often. She read many books and was able to meet her favorite author, Debbie Macomber, in Seattle, Washington. She was active with the Washington Library book club and participated in monthly discussions. She often read books to her kids and grandkids which brought great delight to each of them. She was also active in the church choir at Christ United Methodist Church where she was a member for many years. Her beautiful singing voice remained with her even when her memory suffered from dementia as she still would sing often with her kids and others who visited. She enjoyed traveling with her husband to many states across the continental United States as well as Hawaii. She also enjoyed yoga at the YMCA and would often ride bikes and go on walks with her husband Roy. She especially loved her grandkids and was present for many of their activities and graduations. She had beautiful handwriting and would often write thoughtful letters as well as send birthday and Christmas cards. She was very loving and welcoming to all the first-round draft picks that married into the family. She also valued education very much and helped contribute to all of her children and grandchildren attending college. Nyla and her family are deeply grateful to all who helped care for her the last several years including her good friend Linda Myers as well as the wonderful caregivers at her home and at Oak Ridge.

 Visitation will be Saturday December 7, 2024, starting at 9 AM with service to follow at 11:30 AM at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 2020 State Street, Washington, Indiana, 47501. A celebration of Life for Nyla will begin after visitation at 11:30 AM with burial following at Sugarland Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Way of Daviess County.