Dana Kay Nicklaus

We are broken hearted but rejoicing in the fact that heaven gained the most beautiful angel, Dana Kay Ringo Nicklaus. She changed the world the day she was born on April 6, 1963, in Amarillo, TX to Robert and Carolyn Ringo. On April 14, 2024, the Lord said to her, “Daughter your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” She fought the good fight and finished the race while keeping her faith.

The family will receive guests on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 S Coulter. A rosary will follow at 6:00 PM. After that, there will be a prayer service as well as a celebration of her life starting at 6:30 PM. The funeral mass will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 19, 2024. We would love for you to wear something pink in honor of Dana. Interment will follow at Llano East Cemetery. 

Dana graduated from Amarillo High School in 1981. She excelled in everything she did. She was an amazing athlete and was also the high school football homecoming queen.

To know her was to love her. Her heart was a testament to all of the lifelong friends she made over her lifetime. She left a lasting impression on every person she met. If you knew her, you knew every time she left the room something was missing–her energy, her love, her beautiful smile and her kindness. Her sweet, precious voice always made the worst days better. There is no one that can light up a room like she could. Some of her last words were, “Be kind, always,” a motto that she always lived by. 

She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church her entire life and served on the St. Thomas parish board. Dana was devoted and loyal to her job at Baylor Scott & White (Firstcare) for over 30 years. She was the hardest worker and even through her toughest treatments in the hospital, she wouldn’t stop working. The nurses would have to take away her laptop some days. 

Dana was preceded in death by her cherished twin daughters, Hollie and Lauren Leven in 1991. 

Her memory will live close to our hearts and be forever cherished by her devoted husband, Mark; her parents, Robert and Carolyn Ringo of Amarillo, TX; her children Marketta and Tyler Blair of Midland, TX; Chase Leven of Amarillo, TX; Mason and Hope Nicklaus of Amarillo, TX; Ashley and Cody Marsh of Amarillo, TX; Beau and Kendall Leven of Amarillo, TX; Blake and Emily Nicklaus of Amarillo, TX; three brothers, Russell and Tracy Ringo of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Todd and Anne Ringo of Houston, TX; Brent and Kristin Ringo of Kerrville, TX; and her grandchildren, Piper, Walter, Maley, Nash, and Campbell; and many loving friends. 

May we find peace in our treasured memories of Dana and may her spirit live in our hearts forever. Dana’s legacy of love and kindness will forever live on in the lives of those she touched. 

The family suggests that memorials be made to the V Foundation “Victory Over Cancer” at vfoundation.donordrive.com/campaign/dana-nicklaus-memorial , and the Jan Werner Adult Day Care Center. We want to give a special thanks to 11 Blue at UT Southwestern Clements Hospital in Dallas, Texas.