Diana J. Nichols, 70, of Assaria, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Diana was born on March 30, 1956, in Burlington, Kansas, to the late Dale and Marsha (Jeffery) Luthi.

On May 29, 2004, Diana married Mike Nichols in Mentor, Kansas.

Diana was the driving force behind the coordination of the Kristin Weaver Brown Barrel Racing Clinics. She was a beacon of encouragement and loyalty to so many and had a gift for lifting others up. Her enthusiasm for barrel racing, her devotion to the horses, and her genuine heart made her a constant source of positivity and strength within the clinic community.

She is survived by her loving husband, Mike Nichols; stepson, Bart Nichols of Wheeler, Texas; brother, John Luthi and his wife, Diane, of Bristol, Tennessee; grandchildren, Madelyn Nichols, Cole Nichols, Teal Nichols, Landon Doering; and niece, Katelyn Luthi.

Diana was preceded in death by her parents and stepson, Brock Nichols.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Mentor United Methodist Church in Mentor, Kansas.

Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Salina, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to Coffey County Cancer Support Group, in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.carlsonfh.net or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.