Nicki
Nicki Deleeuw
Nicki Rose DeLeeuw, D.V.M., of Allegan, Michigan, passed away Friday, January 18, 2013 at her home. Nicki was born March 6, 1949 in Allegan to Merton and Lois (Stockdale) Sebright.
Nicki graduated from Hopkins High School and attended KVCC. While at school in Kalamazoo she worked as a secretary for Brown Company. She moved to Texas to attend flight attendant school and was employed with Braniff Airlines. She returned to Michigan where her passion for animals led her to become a veterinarian. She worked as a waitress to pay her way through KVCC, Kalamazoo College and Michigan State University, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. From 1997 until the present she practiced veterinary medicine at the Allegan Veterinary Clinic.
Nicki was an avid reader and enjoyed horseback riding, her cats and dogs and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
Surviving are her children, Dale Michael (Amy) DeLeeuw of Kalamazoo, Kenneth James Dark, III and Tracey (Shawn) Howerton both of Vicksburg; eight grandchildren; a sister, Susan (Michael DeHaan) Sebright of Allegan; a brother, Dale (Pamela) Sebright of Allegan; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her partner in life,
Kenneth Dark, Jr.
in 2008.
Cremation has taken place. Friends may meet with Nicki’s family from 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday, January 23, 2013, at the
Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego
, where Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 24, 2013.
Contributions in memory of Nicki may be made to
Wings Home
in Allegan or
Wings of Hope Hospice
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Nicki DeLeeuw
Condolence Messages
Jessica (Kovacevich) Moore
January 18, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Dale, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a wonderful woman, a 2nd mom to me growing up. She gave me my first perm, and remember the times we shook the drinks up and ran? The camping trips were great too. So many memories. I wish we hadn’t moved so far away, because I would be there if I could. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. She is at peace now.
Love Jessy, Herb, Gwyneth, and Leo Moore.
Reply
Renee Gleeason
January 19, 2013 at 5:20 pm
So sorry for Nicki’ s family loss she was such a compassionate Veterinarian to everyone’s pet plus her own. I will always remember her Radar & Buddy they were one of her dogs that groomed for her they were such wonderful pets. She will be missed. But now she is rejoined with them again plus Ken.
Sincerely Renee, Family & Dogs
Reply
Tim and Marcia Quigley
January 20, 2013 at 8:46 am
Dear family of Nicki,
Tim and I had the pleasure of getting to know Nicki thru Ken. She was such a vibrant, nice, fun-loving person. Please know that she is now an Angel in Heaven watching over you! God Bless all of you!
Reply
Cyndi Rieden Lunney, DVM
January 20, 2013 at 7:02 pm
Dale and Nicki’s entire family,
I remember your Mom from our time at K and then in Vet school. She always inspired me with her quiet smile and compassion. She really did it all and loved you more than you can know. I last saw her a few years ago and above all she seemed happy. Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss.
Reply
Lisa W Halbert DVM PhD
January 21, 2013 at 9:34 am
I’m so sorry for the family, community, and veterinary practice loss of Dr. Nicki. She embodied everything that being a mom, vet, and human should be. Indeed Nicki was a kin to a fun aunt and wise mom to me as well. She must have “adopted” and mentored many of us. I was in absolute AWE of her determination and hard work to put herself through both K College and Vet School, while raising her son. It was always a delight to stop by her house and exchange notes & study. That’s how I met Ken, Dale, Radar and Buddy too.
Reply
Vern & Bonnie Olcott
January 21, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Our prayers for comfort and peace for Nicki’s family. Nobody ever had a better sister than you, Susie.
Reply
Shannon Sheridan
January 21, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Nicki inspired and taught me in countless ways over the years that she tended our sanctuary animals. I’m a better person for having known her. Godspeed, my friend.
Reply
Aaron Walton DVM
January 21, 2013 at 1:44 pm
I am so sad to hear of Nicki’s passing. My condolences, and best wishes to Nicki’s family and friends. She was a vet school classmate and was a very very sweet lady.
Reply
Chuck Holley, DVM
January 21, 2013 at 4:56 pm
I’m very saddened to hear of Nicki’s passing. I always admired her greatly for following her dreams of becoming a veterinarian while at the same time being a wonderful mother to her son Dale. She was always a great classmate. Accomplishing these things at an age, while still young, but when many people are less willing to change course or take risks is a good lesson to us all that it’s never too late to seize the day. My deepest sympathy to Dale and the rest of her family.
Reply
Marcia Keith
January 22, 2013 at 9:14 am
My sincere condolences to Nicki’s family, what an amazing person, I am so grateful to have had the privelage to call her friend. A bright light has gone out in this world but a new star shines in heaven.
Miss you Nicki!
Reply
michele radke
January 22, 2013 at 9:17 am
Nicki was a very special and important person in my life, she was the vet for my little dog when she was gravely ill, and saved her. We all knew and loved her, at the office of Dr. Liepman in Allegan. She will be missed so very much, please accept our sincere sympathy. She was a very kind and dear soul….
Always, Michele Radke
Reply
Carrie Bale
January 22, 2013 at 4:50 pm
I came to know Nicki through the Allegan Vet Clinic where I had the pleasure of seeing Nicki’s caring and compassion for animals and the people who love them. On more than one occasion I dragged her out of a warm bed in the middle of the night for a mare foaling out. We seldom called Nicki to report that our animals were well… and I’d like to thank her for being there when they were sick and needing her assistance. Or when it was really me needing her assurance. She is well loved and will be missed by her human and animal friends alike.
Reply
Cheryl Meyers
January 22, 2013 at 11:30 pm
I was a classmate of Nicki’s at MSU College of Vet Med. I remember her as being such a sweet person and am so sad to hear of her passing much too soon.
Reply
Linda Buck (Herp)
January 23, 2013 at 7:44 pm
Dear Susie and all of Nicki’s family
Nicki was my dear HHS friend, and I am so sorry for your loss. She always was fun to be around. I was a new freshman(1963) from the Catholic school and she was someone I instantly clicked with. I really admired her personality and her intelligence,,, she really grasped the whole biology thing way before I did.
I am so glad I talked with her about three weeks ago, we had a nice but difficult conversation. She was so strong and brave.
She will be truly missed, as she has touched so many lives in such positive ways, including mine.
Sincerely
Linda Buck (Herp)
Reply
Kathy Cassady
January 24, 2013 at 12:03 pm
I knew Nikki thru the vet clinic. She was so compassinate and caring when I needed several of my beloved dogs put down.
She will be missed by so many! Kind loving folks like Nikki are never forgotten. My prayers go out to her family and I know her
co-workers will miss her terribly.
Reply
Sue Elwell
January 24, 2013 at 2:04 pm
I am so saddened to hear of Nikki’a passing. I knew her though the vet clinic. What a kind, gentle, caring soul she is. My favorite! She will be missed. Peace and God’s blessings to all that had the pleasure to meet her. She is unforgetable.
Reply
David and Mary Scholten
January 24, 2013 at 7:37 pm
We are so very sorry for your loss. Nicki was a special person, and a great vet. We knew her from the time she came to Allegan Vet Clinic. She had great compassion for our Newfs. She was such a wonderful person. We will miss her alot.
With our deepest sympathy
Reply
Mary "Mimi" Byrne
January 24, 2013 at 9:43 pm
TO: Nicki DeLeeuw Family and Extended,
My condolences to YOUR FAMILIES…… Nicki was a special person who set and ACHIEVED goals that took much difficulty and sacrifice to be sure. Pursuing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine License and succeeding well past the median age of her fellow classmates is one specific example. She wasn’t afraid to get out of the “box” to do things “unconventionally”. NICKI, I am proud of your accomplishments and grieve for the FAMILY and FRIENDS you have left behind. You will be remembered truly as a star brightly shining in our HEART!
One Life Enriched by YOUR BEING,
Mimi (Herp) Byrne
Reply
Tracy Howerton
January 30, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Nicki, I am still in shock. I know you have been sick for a long time, but I never imagined you would ever leave us. I can’t find the right words to explain how much you mean to me. My heart aches. I pray that you are now with my dad and that someday I will see you both again. I love you.
Dale, Amy & family…you are in my thoughts and prayers. I love you all.
Reply
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Nicki graduated from Hopkins High School and attended KVCC. While at school in Kalamazoo she worked as a secretary for Brown Company. She moved to Texas to attend flight attendant school and was employed with Braniff Airlines. She returned to Michigan where her passion for animals led her to become a veterinarian. She worked as a waitress to pay her way through KVCC, Kalamazoo College and Michigan State University, where she earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. From 1997 until the present she practiced veterinary medicine at the Allegan Veterinary Clinic.
Nicki was an avid reader and enjoyed horseback riding, her cats and dogs and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
Surviving are her children, Dale Michael (Amy) DeLeeuw of Kalamazoo, Kenneth James Dark, III and Tracey (Shawn) Howerton both of Vicksburg; eight grandchildren; a sister, Susan (Michael DeHaan) Sebright of Allegan; a brother, Dale (Pamela) Sebright of Allegan; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her partner in life,
Kenneth Dark, Jr.
in 2008.
Cremation has taken place. Friends may meet with Nicki’s family from 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday, January 23, 2013, at the
Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego
, where Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 24, 2013.
Contributions in memory of Nicki may be made to
Wings Home
in Allegan or
Wings of Hope Hospice
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Nicki DeLeeuw
Condolence Messages
Jessica (Kovacevich) Moore
January 18, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Dale, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a wonderful woman, a 2nd mom to me growing up. She gave me my first perm, and remember the times we shook the drinks up and ran? The camping trips were great too. So many memories. I wish we hadn’t moved so far away, because I would be there if I could. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. She is at peace now.
Love Jessy, Herb, Gwyneth, and Leo Moore.
Reply
Renee Gleeason
January 19, 2013 at 5:20 pm
So sorry for Nicki’ s family loss she was such a compassionate Veterinarian to everyone’s pet plus her own. I will always remember her Radar & Buddy they were one of her dogs that groomed for her they were such wonderful pets. She will be missed. But now she is rejoined with them again plus Ken.
Sincerely Renee, Family & Dogs
Reply
Tim and Marcia Quigley
January 20, 2013 at 8:46 am
Dear family of Nicki,
Tim and I had the pleasure of getting to know Nicki thru Ken. She was such a vibrant, nice, fun-loving person. Please know that she is now an Angel in Heaven watching over you! God Bless all of you!
Reply
Cyndi Rieden Lunney, DVM
January 20, 2013 at 7:02 pm
Dale and Nicki’s entire family,
I remember your Mom from our time at K and then in Vet school. She always inspired me with her quiet smile and compassion. She really did it all and loved you more than you can know. I last saw her a few years ago and above all she seemed happy. Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss.
Reply
Lisa W Halbert DVM PhD
January 21, 2013 at 9:34 am
I’m so sorry for the family, community, and veterinary practice loss of Dr. Nicki. She embodied everything that being a mom, vet, and human should be. Indeed Nicki was a kin to a fun aunt and wise mom to me as well. She must have “adopted” and mentored many of us. I was in absolute AWE of her determination and hard work to put herself through both K College and Vet School, while raising her son. It was always a delight to stop by her house and exchange notes & study. That’s how I met Ken, Dale, Radar and Buddy too.
Reply
Vern & Bonnie Olcott
January 21, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Our prayers for comfort and peace for Nicki’s family. Nobody ever had a better sister than you, Susie.
Reply
Shannon Sheridan
January 21, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Nicki inspired and taught me in countless ways over the years that she tended our sanctuary animals. I’m a better person for having known her. Godspeed, my friend.
Reply
Aaron Walton DVM
January 21, 2013 at 1:44 pm
I am so sad to hear of Nicki’s passing. My condolences, and best wishes to Nicki’s family and friends. She was a vet school classmate and was a very very sweet lady.
Reply
Chuck Holley, DVM
January 21, 2013 at 4:56 pm
I’m very saddened to hear of Nicki’s passing. I always admired her greatly for following her dreams of becoming a veterinarian while at the same time being a wonderful mother to her son Dale. She was always a great classmate. Accomplishing these things at an age, while still young, but when many people are less willing to change course or take risks is a good lesson to us all that it’s never too late to seize the day. My deepest sympathy to Dale and the rest of her family.
Reply
Marcia Keith
January 22, 2013 at 9:14 am
My sincere condolences to Nicki’s family, what an amazing person, I am so grateful to have had the privelage to call her friend. A bright light has gone out in this world but a new star shines in heaven.
Miss you Nicki!
Reply
michele radke
January 22, 2013 at 9:17 am
Nicki was a very special and important person in my life, she was the vet for my little dog when she was gravely ill, and saved her. We all knew and loved her, at the office of Dr. Liepman in Allegan. She will be missed so very much, please accept our sincere sympathy. She was a very kind and dear soul….
Always, Michele Radke
Reply
Carrie Bale
January 22, 2013 at 4:50 pm
I came to know Nicki through the Allegan Vet Clinic where I had the pleasure of seeing Nicki’s caring and compassion for animals and the people who love them. On more than one occasion I dragged her out of a warm bed in the middle of the night for a mare foaling out. We seldom called Nicki to report that our animals were well… and I’d like to thank her for being there when they were sick and needing her assistance. Or when it was really me needing her assurance. She is well loved and will be missed by her human and animal friends alike.
Reply
Cheryl Meyers
January 22, 2013 at 11:30 pm
I was a classmate of Nicki’s at MSU College of Vet Med. I remember her as being such a sweet person and am so sad to hear of her passing much too soon.
Reply
Linda Buck (Herp)
January 23, 2013 at 7:44 pm
Dear Susie and all of Nicki’s family
Nicki was my dear HHS friend, and I am so sorry for your loss. She always was fun to be around. I was a new freshman(1963) from the Catholic school and she was someone I instantly clicked with. I really admired her personality and her intelligence,,, she really grasped the whole biology thing way before I did.
I am so glad I talked with her about three weeks ago, we had a nice but difficult conversation. She was so strong and brave.
She will be truly missed, as she has touched so many lives in such positive ways, including mine.
Sincerely
Linda Buck (Herp)
Reply
Kathy Cassady
January 24, 2013 at 12:03 pm
I knew Nikki thru the vet clinic. She was so compassinate and caring when I needed several of my beloved dogs put down.
She will be missed by so many! Kind loving folks like Nikki are never forgotten. My prayers go out to her family and I know her
co-workers will miss her terribly.
Reply
Sue Elwell
January 24, 2013 at 2:04 pm
I am so saddened to hear of Nikki’a passing. I knew her though the vet clinic. What a kind, gentle, caring soul she is. My favorite! She will be missed. Peace and God’s blessings to all that had the pleasure to meet her. She is unforgetable.
Reply
David and Mary Scholten
January 24, 2013 at 7:37 pm
We are so very sorry for your loss. Nicki was a special person, and a great vet. We knew her from the time she came to Allegan Vet Clinic. She had great compassion for our Newfs. She was such a wonderful person. We will miss her alot.
With our deepest sympathy
Reply
Mary "Mimi" Byrne
January 24, 2013 at 9:43 pm
TO: Nicki DeLeeuw Family and Extended,
My condolences to YOUR FAMILIES…… Nicki was a special person who set and ACHIEVED goals that took much difficulty and sacrifice to be sure. Pursuing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine License and succeeding well past the median age of her fellow classmates is one specific example. She wasn’t afraid to get out of the “box” to do things “unconventionally”. NICKI, I am proud of your accomplishments and grieve for the FAMILY and FRIENDS you have left behind. You will be remembered truly as a star brightly shining in our HEART!
One Life Enriched by YOUR BEING,
Mimi (Herp) Byrne
Reply
Tracy Howerton
January 30, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Nicki, I am still in shock. I know you have been sick for a long time, but I never imagined you would ever leave us. I can’t find the right words to explain how much you mean to me. My heart aches. I pray that you are now with my dad and that someday I will see you both again. I love you.
Dale, Amy & family…you are in my thoughts and prayers. I love you all.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
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Comment
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Name
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Δ
Obituary Notification Service
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At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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