Nicola Buchanan

Nicola Jo Studier was born on June 21, 1947 in Albert Lea, the daughter of Rudolph and Anne Studier. Nikki spent her childhood in Glenville. She attended and was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Myrtle. She began playing the piano at an early age and played the clarinet for the Glenville School Band and participated in the All-State Band. She was a cheerleader throughout high school and also sang in the choir. She graduated from Glenville High School as class valedictorian in 1965. Following high school she attended Naeve Hospital School of Nursing to become a Registered Nurse and graduated in 1968 as the class valedictorian. On July 8, 1967, Nikki married her high school sweetheart, Brent Buchanan at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. They lived on the Buchanan family farm by Gordonsville for their 41 years of marriage. Nikki worked at Naeve Hospital for several years and then stayed home to raise their five children. In 1989 Nikki graduated from Metropolitan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1993 she graduated from Mankato State University with a Master of Science degree in Psychology. Nikki worked as a supervising RN for Morning Star Home Health in Albert Lea from 1999-2008. Nikki was a gifted pianist and music was a large part of her life. She and Brent led the music/worship at Philadelphia Christian Center in Albert Lea for 18 years. She worked as the contemporary music leader at the United Methodist Church in Albert Lea from 2000-2008. Nikki had a passion for Bible Study and throughout her life, taught many Bible classes. Her deep faith and love for Jesus inspired many throughout her lifetime. Nikki also loved to travel, camp, and spend time with her family. Survivors include her husband Brent; five children Dawn Chip Hall of Glenville, Cari Jeff Broitzman of Jackson, MN, Wyatt Buchanan of Albert Lea, Anne Josh Wegner of Albert Lea, and Luke Amanda Buchanan of Glenville; 14 grandchildren Erica, Andrea, and Alayna Hall, Levi, Evan, and Holden Broitzman, Hannah, Nathan, and Abbey Buchanan, Isabelle and Olivia Wegner, Chelsey Morrow, and Bryson and Cindy Buchanan; great-granddaughter Faith Hall; mother Anne Tony Chavez of Albert Lea; siblings Randy Sue Studier, Jane Eddie Pecora, Tim Sandy Studier, Angie Nick Olson, Dan Cathy Studier, Lori Studier, and Jill Paul Hagen; sisters-in-law Sharyl Lunde and Sue Jerry Lee; and many nieces and nephews. Nikki was preceded in death by her father Rudolph Studier.