- Date Of Birth: November 4, 1921
- Date Of Death: December 27, 2014
- State: Nebraska
Nila Faye (Wellman) Nichols went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 27, 2014. Nila was born on November 4, 1921, in Spencer, Ne, to Bessie Bell (Wade) & Chester E Wellman. At the age of 9, Nila moved from Nebraska to the Yakima Washington area, along with her parents and older sister, Thelma. Nila graduated from Toppenish Washington High School. In the summers, she worked at the Toppenish Cannery where she sorted fruit to be canned.
After high school, Nila boarded a train to Seattle, where she would attend Northwest Bible College. That train is where she met the love of her life when Lynn S Nichols asked to sit next to her and she obliged. They were married on July 3, 1943, in Yakima, Washington. After finishing Bible School, the young couple lived briefly in Hamilton, Montana, before accepting their first Pastorate assignment in Hartington, Nebraska. Nila was a devoted pastor’s wife, mother, church pianist/organist, Sunday School teacher and community member while she and Lynn served in Assembly of God churches across Nebraska, including Laurel, Wood Lake, Pender, Bassett, Columbus, and Broken Bow. In 1968, after retiring from full-time ministry, Lynn and Nila moved to Norfolk, Nebraska, where they resided and were active in the First Assembly & Victory Road Assembly of God churches, always willing to lend a hand, be it in prayer or in service, until Lynn passed away in Nov. 2010. Nila moved to Elwood, Nebraska, in March of 2014.
Nila was small in stature, but had a huge heart toward servanthood, always putting others’ needs before her own. To anyone who knew her, there was no doubt she was a Christian, whose purpose in life was to minister to others and share the Gospel with whomever she came into contact. She loved to pray for her family and those in need, worship her Lord in song and praise, and read God’s Word daily. Her eyes always sparkled with joy and her dimpled smile lit up many a room. She was a wonderful cook and baker who was happiest when she could care for her family. Of course, her contagious laughter paired well with Lynn’s ornery streak; Nila had a bit of ornery, herself, which shone in her eyes. She also loved to correspond with others… Her written or typed letters to family and to friends she met along the way in ministry became one of Nila’s hallmarks. Even into her 90’s, Nila was diligent with her e-mail correspondence so she could continue to share her daily walk.
Nila died peacefully on Saturday morning, December 27th, under the great care of the loving professionals of Elwood Care Home, as a result of a stroke. She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Thelma (Wellman) Ropp, husband Lynn, son Donald (infant), son Darrell, and daughter Carolyn. She is survived by two sons, Daniel/Rebekah Nichols of Overton, NE, and Larry/Cindy Nichols of Ballwin, MO, daughter-in-law Brenda Nichols of Nashville, TN, and son-in-law Llew Matthews of Los Angeles, CA, as well as 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; all of whom adored her and will miss her intensely.
The family wishes to give a special thanks to two couples who exemplify true servant hood – John & Yolanda Hansen and Beth & Ed Hendrix – whose diligent care and unending love gave this most special woman and her mischievous, kind-hearted husband a bit of what they themselves spent their lives giving to others. May you be truly blessed.
