Gladys Nicholas, age 106! of Spearfish passed away peacefully in her sleep with family by her side on Friday January 28 ^th , 2022 at Spearfish Canyon Healthcare.

Memorial services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 7 ^th , 2022, at the United Methodist Church in Spearfish. Inurnment will follow at Rosehill Cemetery with lunch following at the church.

Gladys Verla Nicholas was born July 16 ^th , 1915 in the Spring Creek area near Spearfish to Floyd and Frankie (Wenner) Ruby, as the 8 ^th of 12 children (4 boys and 8 girls).  Gladys was the only one in her grade at the Spring Creek Country school. Gladys had to take the required two-day eighth-grade graduation exams in Deadwood before she could begin her study at Spearfish High School.  She moved 12 times in 13 years all before her freshman year of HS. Gladys worked for her room and board during high school living with three different. During this time, she also worked at the high school in the MYF program and clean classrooms with Kathlleen (Anderson) Jeffrey, who became her lifelong friend.  During Gladys' senior year she lived with Mrs. Krinning. At that time, she was offered a scholarship to Billings, MT to study accounting, but her mom wouldn't let her go, which turned out to be a blessing because Mrs. Krinning introduced her to Cecil Nicholas, her future husband. They dated while Gladys worked for Emerald and Elaine Reinecke, whose ranch was Northwest of where Cecil lived.  Gladys and Cecil were married on April 29 ^th , 1937 in Deadwood's Episcopal Church. They lived 5 years above the Woolsmuth Hardware Store where Cecil worked and Gladys worked at Zinks' Dime Store for $12/month. They welcomed their son Charles in 1940. Then Cecil's dad said he was needed back on the farm.  So, they moved west of Crow Peak into a vacated 3-room house about 3 miles from Cecil's dad's home place where Gladys raised chickens for eggs, and meat; milked cows for milk and cream to help support the family farm. Two years later their daughter Sylvia was born in 1943. There were always extra people at their house including adults, children, cousins or neighbors. "There is always room for one more at the table," Gladys would say.  Gladys lived within 17 miles of where she was born. She continued to live on the farm, even after Cecil's death until 1995 when she moved to Redwood apartments, Spearfish.

Gladys has endured many challenges in her life and always maintained a positive attitude: 1) On a -32 day in January 1942 as she was helping Cecil start the water pump, her gloves froze to the cogs on the flywheel. When it started 3 of Gladys' fingers were crushed on her right hand! Due to the cold and snow the family had a 4-hour trek to get to the nearest hospital in Deadwood!. They had to use a team of horses to pull the car out to highway 14 just so they could drive! 2) She was thrown from a wagon she in 1984 where broke her shoulder and crawled a couple miles to get help for the others who were more seriously injured. 3) She was backed over by then drove over by a van at age 97, snapping her femur which required a rod and 4 screws! Needless to say Gladys was a tough lady!

Gladys saw many changes in her life from making her own lye soap and doing wash on a washboard to getting running water, electricity, and having a gas powered Maytag; from farming with a team of horses and a plow to seeing gps-self-driving, 650 hp tractor with 9 bottom 18 inch plows or 35' of chisel plows. She saw 19 Presidents, the carving of Mt Rushmore, WWI and II, a man on the moon, modern flight, Model A's & T's to Tesla's, from party line telephones to cell phones and computers, tablets! Gladys also enjoyed many things: traveling to every state except Alaska, painting, playing cards (especially bridge, whist, cribbage, rummy) crocheting, knitting, quilting, puzzles, community service. Gladys held leadership positions in all of the organizations that she participated in at various times. She was a 4-H leader, taught first aid, was a member of Daughters of the Nile, Crow Peak Extension Club, RSVP, and Quilters Club.  Gladys was currently a member of the United Methodist Church, OES for 75 years, Past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star, and a member of the Spearfish Senior Center.

Gladys' faith, love of family and friends, strength, and a never give up attitude in life, pushed her to make the most of every day and every situation.  She will be truly missed!

Gladys is survived by her children Sylvia Haux of Deadwood, Charles (Sallie) Nicholas of Spearfish, 5 grandchildren Carrie (Troy) Jeffrey of Vail, AZ; Corrie (Michelle) Haux Bloomington, MN; Cherie (Terry) Norris of Martinsville, IN; Verla (Tavis) Little of Spearfish; Charles V Nicholas of Spearfish. 10 Great Grandchildren and 5 Great-Great Grandchildren.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Husband Cecil, and her 11 brothers and sisters.

In lieu of Flowers, please send memorials to Spearfish United Methodist Church or the Senior Citizen Center of Spearfish.