Nickolette "Nicki" Stajcar

Nicholette “Nicki” Marie (Shinn) Stajcar, age 70, of Adel, passed away January 21, 2022, at Unity Point Hospital in Des Moines. She was born on June 18, 1951, in Des Moines, to Richard Amos Shinn and Margaret Ann (Ellsworth) Shinn, and was the second of three daughters. Nicki married Jim Stajcar on May 6, 1972, and they enjoyed 49 years together before Jim’s death on November 5, 2021. Nicki graduated from Adel-De Soto High School in 1969. Retiring from Blue Cross-Blue Shield after 20 years, she took a position at the State of Iowa Department of Elder Affairs, and relished working in their information booth at the Iowa State Fair Varied Industries Building. Nicki enjoyed chatting with the people that stopped by the booth, and using her vast knowledge to address their questions. The job took her on road trips to many communities in Iowa, presenting programs on various topics to Iowa’s senior citizens. She also served on the Dallas County Extension Board for several years. Keeping family traditions alive was very important to Nicki. She often hosted holiday gatherings, and cooked the family traditional dishes – like ham balls. Her organizational skills were very useful in helping to plan several Stajcar family reunions. Nicki enjoyed sharing her knowledge of aging issues with friends and family, and helping them solve problems. Nicki is survived by her sisters, Vicki (Robert Hutzell) of Knoxville, Iowa and Claudia (Rick Jordan) of Estes Park, Colorado, and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Jim. Nicki chose to be cremated. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to EveryStep Hospice (3000 Easton Blvd #3, Des Moines, IA 50317 wwweverystep.org) or AHeinz57 Pet Rescue (4002 Ash Street, De Soto, IA 50069 www.aheinz57.com) Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com