Danny Nicholson

Daniel (Danny) Glen Nicholson, age 70, passed away peacefully on Thursday February 29, 2024, with an arm around his sleeping wife.

Danny was born to loving parents, Dean and Rose Nicholson in Des Moines, Iowa on October 14th, 1953. The youngest of 3 children, Danny and his two siblings - Dennis and Diane - grew up in a neighborhood full of children, and his childhood friends grew up just a few houses away. Always a lover of music, he got his hands on any instrument he could, including his dad’s harmonica, and his brother’s clarinet. In 1971 he graduated from North High School.

On July 27th, 1990, Danny married his beautiful wife, Elizabeth (Liz) Balli, in Des Moines. They met at Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) two years prior, where they both worked. The first time Liz heard Danny’s laugh she had to find out who it belonged to and after a few months of co-workers encouraging them to talk to each other, Liz called him up and asked him out. The rest, as they say, is history. Danny and Liz lived in Des Moines, Iowa where they began their blended family with Liz’s sons Matthew and Michael Sandoval and Danny’s children Naima and Lon. Some of their most memorable experiences together as a family were trips visiting the Omaha Zoo and traveling to Colorado, frequent travels to Davenport to visit family, and family reunions in Texas. Not to mention all of the family cookouts, and grandchildren sleepovers that always included mornings of Papi’s Pancake House. Danny worked for DMPS for over 30 years in the technology department. His last position with DMPS was Technology Project Specialist, and he retired at the age of 62.

Danny’s number one passion in life, after his family and friends, was music. He first started playing the clarinet as a young child where he played in the family bathroom with the sheet music upside down. When he expressed his interest in playing guitar at the age of 14, his parents made sure he could follow his dreams, and bought him a guitar and lessons. His instructor, a clarinet teacher, taught him how to read music (he already knew how to play by ear), and he whizzed through his first lesson book.
Nothing would stop him now from becoming the technical master we all know today. He first started playing with friends in high school bands, eventually playing with bands such as: Sunday Social (with whom he was inducted into the Iowa Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame), Midwest Express, Cavaliers, and Hip Pocket. In the mid-90s Danny started playing with World Port with whom he continued to play through the last of his days. Danny also played with Straight Up, Tony Valdez Group, Saxman Jones Blues Gang, Flip Side, and Jesse Villalobos Band/ “Cold Sweat”, and many, many more. His many performances with Sam Salomone and Friends attracted all friends from far and wide. The last groups he played with were RythMatics and Sumpin Doo. The Sumpin Doo boys remained Danny’s musical brothers until the end, where they played together in their own “celebration of life” at the Hawkey Elks Lodge 160 (with musical guests), where Danny was the main entertainment…of course.

Danny's humor, whole-hearted love, and beautiful guitar playing will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him or who have experienced his
music. He was a role model to all of his children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews teaching us how to love and care for each other, and never forgetting how
important a silly laugh can be.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years (together for 36), Liz Nicholson. His children Naima (Betsy) Lovejoy, Matthew (Ingrid) Sandoval, Michael (Brandi) Sandoval, and Lon (Maya) Bromolson. Grandchildren Roman, Malorie and Isaac Sandoval, Juniper and Clementine Bromolson, and Shelby Bales, sibling Diane (John) Natale, and numerous nieces and nephews and beloved friends.

Danny is preceded in death by his Parents Dean and Rose Nicholson, his brother Dennis Nicholson, sister in-law Alice Balli and mother in-law Guadalupe Balli.

The family will greet visitors from 1 to 2pm at Hamilton’s Funeral Chapel, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312 on Saturday, March 9th, 2024,
followed by service and reception.
Upon Liz’s passing the, couple will be interred together in the Liberty Cemetery in the Nicholson family plot.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Association, Taylor Hospice house, and Hawkeye Elks Lodge 160. Thank you to the Taylor Hospice House and Home Hospice Nurse Erin for their love and care during Danny’s final days and support to his family. A Special thanks to Dr. Buroker (and office) for his extra commitment to Danny.

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