Greta Jo Warkentin Nikkel was born on October 2, 1930, to John Kroeker and Loree Compton Warkentin in Bakersfield, California. She passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in Weatherford, Oklahoma. While she was still an infant, her family moved back to the Midwest, settling in Corn, Oklahoma. Greta grew up in various towns across California, Texas and Oklahoma, as her father was a minister and chiropractor. She had two brothers, James Karl (Karl) and Timothy Michael (Tim).

Greta attended Corn High School, where she met and dated Elvern Nikkel. The couple married on August 20, 1948, in San Jose, California. Together, they had two children: Charlotte Elaine, born on August 30, 1950, and James Kim (Kim), born on September 16, 1954. As a devoted farmer's wife, Greta worked diligently alongside Elvern, who raised wheat and cattle. She was known for her wonderful cooking and spent much of her time in the kitchen, running the school cafeteria and catering for various events.

In addition to her culinary skills, Greta had a beautiful voice and sang in the church choir, often performing solos at weddings and funerals. Her keen sense of fashion led her to a career as the manager of Hutto's Ready to Wear in Weatherford. Throughout her life, Greta maintained a strong faith, being active in the churches she attended with Elvern.

Greta loved to entertain, often inviting friends and family to her home for delightful meals and homemade pies. She enjoyed playing games, particularly bridge. Greta and Elvern traveled extensively, visiting family in California, Texas, and Washington, and made many close friends in a travel club. They made numerous trips with Elvern's sister and brother-in-law Geraldine and Marvin Hook, throughout the US including Hawaii.  Their adventures also included trips to the Caribbean and two trips to Europe.

Greta and Elvern were blessed with three grandchildren: Jamie Scharich and her husband Brian, Joshua and his wife Sachiko, and Jodi Laegreid and her husband Peter, who are the children of Kim and his wife Marylou. She also had one great-grandchild, Jameson, the son of Jamie and Brian.  Greta was blessed with a vivacious personality and a wide circle of friends.

Greta was preceded in death by her parents, J.K. and Loree Warkentin; her husband, Elvern James; and her son-in-law, Joe E. Edwards, husband of Charlotte. She is survived by her daughter Charlotte, her son Kim and his wife Marylou, her grandchildren Jamie, Joshua, and Jodi, her great-grandson Jameson, her brothers Karl and his wife Rita, and Tim and his wife Beth, and a host of nephews and their wives.