Nikki Seeler

Nikki Warren Seeler, age 93, of Camdenton, departed this world on Monday, September 7th 2020. She leaves behind a daughter Jean and her husband Jeff, a grandson Nick and his partner Heather, a nephew Steve, and a niece Lisa. Born Shirley Warren to parents Lynn and Louise (née King) and the younger sister of Carole, she demonstrated an independent streak from an early age. One teacher, remarking on Nikki’s gum-chewing, stated that there was no doubt in her mind that Miss Warren would “wind up in the women’s state penitentiary.” She defied the schoolmarm’s expectations, embarking on a remarkable life of learning, adventure, and compassion. After graduating from Southwest High School in St. Louis in 1945, Nikki went on to college at University of Illinois - Champaign, but had to leave after one year, unable to make enough 10-cent tips waiting tables to continue. She found love with an old highschool classmate, Oliver Obenhaus, and married in 1951. Nikki gave birth to her daughter Jean on February 25th, 1958, which she considered the most important day of her life. After Nikki and Ollie separated in 1973, she refocused her life around her daughter. She also resumed her undergraduate study at Webster University, completing homework at night alongside Jean, who was by then in high school. After earning her Bachelor’s degree, she went on to Washington University in St. Louis, eventually receiving a Masters of Social Work. Nikki continued to discover herself as she became politically active, marching in support of the Equal Rights Amendment. She never liked the name Shirley and felt it was old-fashioned, so she changed it to Nikki, reinventing herself mid-life in her new career as a therapist. When her daughter moved to California and married in the mid-’80s, Nikki, unable to bear the distance, followed, settling in San Francisco, a city she had always adored. Nikki’s lifelong passion was travel. The countries she visited are far too numerous to list, but she cut a breathtaking swath across Eurasia and the Americas. She sometimes travelled with her daughter and grandson, or with her second husband Tom Seeler, who passed away in 1996, but more often than not, she relished the freedom of travelling solo. When she ceased to find tent camping enjoyable, she purchased a Roadtrek motorhome and became active in that community, founding the SoloTrekkers organization and leading it into her 70’s. She loved animals, particularly cats, and had several that were her travelling companions. Nikki would say that her greatest joys were not as a therapist or traveller, but as a mother and grandmother. Her sense of humor, open heart, and generosity were known to all who interacted with her, but felt most deeply by those who knew her best. She will be greatly missed.