HAYS — Celia Gay Nicholson, 83, a longtime Hays resident, died Aug. 25, 2026, in Bloomington, Ind. She was born Nov. 24, 1942, in Great Bend, Kan., the daughter of George E. and Leona C. (Muench) Eveleigh.

After graduating from Hoisington High School, Celia attended Kansas State University where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. On July 26, 1964, she married her high school sweetheart, Larry M. Nicholson. They were blessed with two children, Eric and Jill. They raised their family in Hays.

Celia started her teaching career in the upper Elementary School grade levels teaching in Manhattan, Kan. and Rolla, Mo. before taking a short time off when her children were young. She returned to teaching as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in the Hays School District from 1988 until 2008, working with students of all grade levels from around the world.

She was a member of Kansas State Alumni Association, Daughter’s of the American Revolution, the BQ Chapter of PEO in Hays Kan., and Kappa Delta Sorority. In her retirement she pursued her passion for bridge belonging to several clubs around which all other commitments were scheduled. She was an avid reader, loved to travel, and was an enthusiastic supporter of K-State Wildcats Football holding season tickets with family and friends for many years.

She is survived by her two children, son, Eric Nicholson of Ames, Iowa and daughter, Jill Nicholson-Crotty and husband Sean of Bloomington, Ind.; and four grandchildren, Jordan Nicholson and Noah Nicholson both of Iowa City, Iowa, Finn Nicholson-Crotty and Iris Nicholson-Crotty, both of Bloomington, Ind. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry Nicholson; and her parents.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, Kan. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, at Brock’s Keithley Funeral Chapel, 2509 Vine Street in Hays, Kan. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with Pastor Don Fisher presiding. Burial will follow in Hoisington Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Larry & Celia Nicholson Undergraduate Research Opportunity Award in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Notices may be viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

P.O. Box 146

Hoisington, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 29, 2026