Gladys Nicholas

There are few people who, no matter what life throws at them, are the perfect example of selflessness and demonstrate gratitude in their lives.  Gladys Nicholas is one of those people. Born July 16, 1915, she was raised on her parents’ ranch, north of Spearfish, on Spring Creek. She came from a large and loving family with 11 siblings. She was the 8th in the family and is the only one left. As a child, Gladys didn’t start talking until she was about 8 years old.  It wasn’t that she couldn’t talk, she just didn’t need to talk because her brother did all the talking for her. It was at this time she earned the nickname “Dutch,” because only her brother could understand her, and it is something that has stuck with her today.  

Her favorite thing as a child was taking care of the family’s sheep.  They often had bum lambs, and they would have to milk Rosie, their cow, and take care of the lambs.  They all had work to do and that was their exercise.  In those days, they did not have T.V. or even electricity at home.  Kerosene lamps were their light source and a wood burning stove was used to heat their home and to cook with. They learned you eat what is on your plate and there isn’t a food that she doesn’t like, except liver.  

Gladys said that growing up with so many siblings was wonderful!  She and 3 of her sisters stayed in one bedroom and the boys also shared a room. Her kitchen table was very large, with one long bench and they knew where they should sit. Her father would dish their plates for them.  Back then they grew and raised everything they needed and her mother baked bread.  Those were the good old days because everyone was alike and neighbors meant everything!  They were there to help in the fields and do what needed to be done.  Now it seems people want to know “how much will you pay me?”  

At the country school she attended, north of Spearfish, the students were in charge of cleaning their classroom and getting it ready for the next day.  The boys had to get the wood and the girls cleaned the blackboards and erasers.  They didn’t have backpacks back then, everything was left at school.  They only had a pencil and eraser.  They would carry their lunch in a pale and her friend would always bring her an extra sandwich to eat on the way home.  Her favorite subject was mathematics, and she remembers memorizing and reciting poetry in front of her class. Four generations in her family have attended school here, including the two of us, her great granddaughters, Ashlynn and Morgan. 

In her youth, Gladys had a dream of one day becoming a teacher.  She earned a scholarship to Billings, however, when the time came, her mother did not want her going off on her own so she stayed and worked, cleaning blackboards at the Young Citizens League.  Her first job was working for room and board while taking care of three children.  Although she did not become a teacher, she spent many years of her life taking care of children.  

The best thing that ever happened to her was when she married Cecil.  Cecil was born and raised Southwest of Spearfish and they didn’t meet until she was a senior in high school. The first time she met Cecil, he was delivering some chickens to Mrs. Krenning, who introduced them.  She thought it was love at first sight.  Cecil was and is the only one she has ever dated.  

After years of living on the ranch, Gladys decided to move from the ranch, into Spearfish, 25 years ago, and she still lives in the same apartment.  She has lived in South Dakota her entire life. Her favorite hobbies are knitting and crocheting.  She loves to draw and put puzzles together.  She loves a lot of songs, especially country music and church hymns. She says everyone has a belief, but for goodness sake, Believe in God! 

She never thought she would make it this long. She has battled 5-6 really bad accidents.  In her most recent accident, she was run over by a small bus and the bus driver didn’t know what she had hit, so she drove forward and ended up driving over her again.  She had a compound fracture and spent four months in the nursing home. They didn’t think she would make it, however she fooled them.  

She has done some traveling. She has been to every state but Alaska.  She has 2 children, Sylvia, a retired teacher and Charles, who is on the ranch.  She has 5 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. She is so proud of all of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren! When asked what she would change, she said that she doesn’t think she would change a thing because she had to grow up.  These events have made her who she is.  Her words of advice are to be sure to get your schoolwork done and do your studying so high school will be easier for you!