Lila B. Nichols

Lila B. Nichols, 86 of Devils Lake formerly of the Sarles/Calvin area died early Tuesday morning, July 13, 2010 at the Lakota Good Samaritan Center, Lakota, ND. Mass of Christian Burial for Lila will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Peter Sharpe will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Lila will be her grandsons, Ty Nichols, Brian Nichols, Josh Lagein, Garrett Kucher, Tory Nygaard, Dan Lagein, Paul Messelt, Charles Nygaard and Roger Amble. Reading the Scriptures will be Josh Lagein. Gift Bearers will be Becca Lagein, Jenna Lagein and Caitlynne Nygaard. Music will be provided by Lynne Webster and JoDee Lagein. Lila, the daughter of Olaf and Emma (Berringer) Lee was born on January 27, 1924 at Sarles, ND. Lila was reared and educated in rural Sarles attending area township schools and graduating from Sarles High School. Lila was united in marriage to J. Edward Nichols in October of 1948. They made their home in Sarles where they lived, worked and raised their family. In 1972, the family moved to Calvin, ND and in 1988, Lila moved to Devils Lake where she has since made her home. While living in Calvin, Lila worked as a cook at the Border Central School for several years and the Sarles Café. After moving to Devils Lake, Lila worked in the Dietary Department at Lake Region Lutheran Home. Lila also gave of her time and talents to Dakota Prairie Community Action Agency and the Green Thumb Program. Lila was a very talented seamstress and out of necessity and love, she made most of her children’s clothing as they were growing up. She was also very gifted in knitting and crocheting. Everyone in the family was the beneficiary of her many creations. In the summer months, Lila enjoyed gardening. First and foremost in Lila’s life were her faith and her family. We have lost someone very special to us. May she rest in peace. Lila is survived by her daughters, JoDee and her husband, Dan Lagein of Devils Lake, Joanne and her husband, Paul Messelt of Fargo, ND, Paula Perez and Penny and her husband, Charles Nygaard all of Devils Lake; sons, Blaine Nichols and his wife, Darlene of Fargo, Barry Nichols and his wife, Trisha of Baker City, Oregon and Brad Nichols of Devils Lake; Eighteen Grandchildren and Four Great Grandchildren; sister, Selina Stapleton of Kirkland, Washington and half sister, Charlotte Byers of California; Several nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Lila was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ed; son, Ole Nichols; daughter, Susan Nichols; brother, Eugene Lee and six half brothers and two half sisters.