Notes:

Email from Nina to Dwight, Sent Fri 4/30/04 2:31 PM

Hello Dwight

I was surprised,but pleased to hear from you. I will do my best to tell you about my volunteer activities (I don't know if you are interested in what I did in my younger, or work years) much has been either lost or is in storage. I had a wall full of framed certificates in the house in Denver, but they are all in storage now.

I did locate an old file with some of the information you might want. This is going to sound a bit like an obituary I expect,though.

I was State Director of AARP in Colorado from December of 1981 to December of 1985. By the way, how in the world did you come across the newspaper clipping of a letter I wrote so long ago?

As Sate Director (I believe they call that office State President now).. both Bill and I had many opportunities. I not only travelled over the state visiting chapters, but attended yearly conventions in different cities, as well as trips to Washington DC and other meetings requiring my presence. In 1986 I served on the Resolutions Committee requiring me to go to Washington DC. This is a committee that sets up priorities that AARp will work for at the next convention. All of my expenses were covered, but there was no salary.

Before I took that office I was president of my local chapter for some years, then served as Assistant State Director for a few yeaars. There were a number of people serving in that office under the SD.

After serving my term as SD, I was a member of the AARP Legislative Committee. We met weekly and went over bills that had priority for us with the Legislature. We attended the sessions, and I sometimes testified for a bill.

I served as a member of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) in 1994, then resigned, for what reason I don't presently recall.

Served in 1983, for how long I don't have record, under Mayor Federico Pena on the Commission on Aging, and have a beautiful wooden plaque from him for my service.

I don't have a date on this, but I served on the Board for OASIS, a senior activity and study group which started out in Denver at space given them by May D&F. Mayor McNichols and I cut the ribbon upon its opening there.

In 1986 I served on the Denver Commission on Aging, don't have a record of how long--and have also a very nice certificate from Governor Lamb.

I worked with Congressman Tim Wirth with a senior group who lobbied for him and through that, met and shook hands with President Carter. i have a picture of the President and myself.

Locally, im my community, I worked with City Councilman Sam Sandos to get a senior center in the Barnum Community. I wrote many letters, attended many meetings and testified at City Council to achieve that. I had assistance from other local people. It is a beautiful center and has served the BarnumCommunity well. I have taken part in a lot of the activity there, and before moving here had led a discussion group for six or more years, on every topic you can think of.

In addition to that I was active in the Bethany United Methodist Church in many offices and received some wonderful recognition and plaques from them.

This is as much as I can think of currently. If you are interested in any part of my life before retirement, I will be glad to see what I can put together for you.

Incidentally, have you read the book "An Owl On Every Post"? This is a story--mostly true--about the area where my dad and mom homesteaded and where I was born. My great granddaughter, Laura Frank, presently has the book and is working up a report on it for one of her classes. It would give you an insight to where your grandmother lived, and what her life was like there.

Hope this is what you want.

I have my ups and downs, lbut so far am staying in there.

Love,

Nina

Died:
http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=NINA-EASON&lc=4262&pid=156941951&mid=5064721&locale=en-US
In Memory of NINA B EASON

Nina Bertha Eason passed away in Grand Junction, Colorado at the age of 97 on April 4, 2012. Born in Two Buttes, Colorado on March 6, 1915, to John Ralph Nicholas and Bertha Myrtle Mayhood Nicholas, Nina spent her early years on the plains of western Kansas and eastern Colorado.

Much of her childhood was spent on a small farm in eastern Colorado. Known as the "Oasis" due to her father's horticultural skills, the farm was located 12 miles south of Boyero. Her parents raised most of what they required and she rode a horse to attend a small country school. Her world expanded when she left the farm in her early twenties to attend Barnes Business School in Denver.

On June 4, 1939, she married William Jay Eason, "the cowboy next door". Their marriage lasted 57 years until his death on January 8, 1997. Their early years together were spent on ranches across the Colorado plains, but they transitioned to the city with a move to Denver in 1953. It was at that point that she dusted off her business school training and went to work as a secretary at Colorado Metals.

After retiring at age 62, Nina found her true calling as a community leader and an advocate for seniors. It was then that she became actively involved with the American Association of Retired Persons, serving first as president of her local chapter. That was followed by three years as Assistant State Director. She then served as Colorado State Director of AARP from December 1981 to December 1985. It was during those years that she traveled over the state visiting chapters, attending yearly conventions and traveling to Washington DC for meetings. She then served on the Resolutions Committee which set priorities for the next AARP convention and also served on the AARP legislative committee.

In addition to her involvement with AARP, Nina served in 1993 under Mayor Pena on the Commission on Aging, in 1994 as a member of the Denver Regional Council of Governments, and as a board member on OASIS which was a senior activity and study group. Her active involvement continued in 1996 with service on the Denver Commission on Aging. She was also an active participant in efforts to get a senior center in the Barnum Community. It was in that center that she participated in numerous activities to include leading a discussion group for several years that explored many and varied topics.

Throughout all this, she was very active in the Bethany United Methodist Church where she held many offices and received numerous recognitions for her efforts. As age slowed her ability to participate in the many things in Denver that meant so much to her she made the decision to move in October 2003 to the Grand Junction area where she could be closer to family.


She is survived by her son and daughter in law Nick and Marian Eason, granddaughters Christie Frank (Larry) and Karen Eason, and great grandchildren Laura Frank and Philip Frank, as well as many nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Bertha Nicholas, her husband William Eason, and sisters Thelma Thompson, Inez Schroeder and Kathryn Inness.

Services for Nina Eason will be conducted at Bethany United Methodist Church at 3501 West 1st Avenue, Denver, Colorado on April13th at 11:00 AM. It is suggested that a donation be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado; 2754 Compass Drive, Suite 377; Grand Junction, CO 81506; or www.hospice.com, in lieu of flowers.

The Celebration of Life Service
Friday, April 13, 2012
11:00am - 12:00pm
Bethany United Methodist Church
3501 W 1St Ave
Denver, CO

Nina married William Jay Eason on 04 Jun 1939 in Ordway, Colorado. William was born on 16 Dec 1912 in Damar, Kansas; died on 08 Jan 1997 in Denver, Denver County, Colorado; was buried on 11 Jan 1997 in Crown Hill Memorial Park, Arvada, Jefferson County, Colorado. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Nicholas Jay Eason

Notes:

Ralph died at 12:50 PM. at the Plaza Park Nursing Home.

Obituary:
Ralph J. Nicholas
Funeral services for Ralph J. Nicholas, retired farmer, will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Olinger Mortuary, Boulder st. Burial will be in Crown Hill.
Mr. Nicholas, who lived at 2760 W First ave., died Tuesday in Plaza Park Nursing Home, Westminster. He was 88.
Born on Sept. 7, 1878, in Rippey, Iowa, he attended schools there. He married Miss Mary Reinking in Tipton, Kan., in 1904. After her death, he married Miss Bertha Mayhood in Columbus, Kan., in 1921.
Mr. Nicholas homesteaded in Baca County before moving to Lincoln County, where he operated a nursery. He moved to Denver in 1949 following retirement.
Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. Kathryn Inness of Karvel, Mrs. Nina B. Eason of Denver, Mrs. Thelma Thompson and Mrs. Inez Schroeder, both of Westminster; a sister, Mrs. Addie Mullen of Kansas City, grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Eastern Colorado Plainsman
Thursday, 27 July 1967,
Hugo, Colorado
Memorial Services Are Held For Ralph J. Nicholas
Services for Ralph J. Nicholas were held at 1:00 p.m. July 21 in the Olinger Mortuary at Denver. Burial was in Crown Hill.
Mr. Nicholas died Tuesday, July 11, in Plaza Park Nursing Home in Westminster. He was born September 7, 1878, in Rippey, Ia.
He married Mary Reinking in Tipton, Kans., in 1904 and she died two years later. In 1911 he married Bertha Mayhood in Columbus, Kans. They homesteaded about eleven miles southwest of two buttes in Baca County. Later he lived in Lincoln County and established the Oasis Nursery.
His greatest satisfaction was in doing for others. One of his happiest moments was the opportunity to furnish some of the trees for the Bucklen Cemetery north of Karvel.
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas retired in Denver in 1949. Mrs. Nicholas died November 4, 1964, three years after they had celebrated theirgolden wedding anniversary.
Survivors include four daughters; Mrs. Thelma Thompson and Mrs. Inez Schroeder, both of Westminster, Mrs. Nina B. Eason, Denver and Mrs. Kathryn Inness, Karvel; one sister, Mrs. Addie Mullen, Kansas City, Mo.; nine grandchildren; twenty-five great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

Nicholas -
Ralph J. Nicholas of 2760 W. First ave. Father of Kathryn Inness, Karvel, Colo., Thelma Thompson and Inez Schreoder, both of Westminster, Colo., and Nina B. Eason of Denver; brother of Addie Mullen of Kansas City, Mo.; also survived by nine grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Services, Drawing Room, Sixteenth at Boulder Friday, 1 p.m. To Crown Hill Cemetery.

Died:
Death Certficate on file.

John married Bertha Myrtle Mayhood on 11 Sep 1911 in Columbus, Kansas. Bertha (daughter of W F Mayhood and Angelina Campbell) was born on 09 Jun 1880 in Galena, Kansas; died on 04 Nov 1964 in Westminster, Adams County, Colorado; was buried on 07 Nov 1964 in Crown Hill Memorial Park, Arvada, Jefferson County, Colorado. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bertha died at 5:50 PM. at the Plaza Park Nursing Home.

Dated 1964
Nicholas-
Bertha M. Nicholas of 1285 Winona ct. Wife of Ralph Nicholas, father of Mrs. Nina Eason, Denver. Mrs. Inez Schroeder, Westminster. Mrs. Thelma Thompson, Westminster. Mrs. Kathryn Inness, Karvel, Colo.; also survived by nine grandchildren: 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, Services, Chapel SIXTEENTH AT BOULDER, 12 noon, Saturday, Crown Hill Cemetery.

Died:
Death Certficate on file.

Notes:

NOTE: Notes state Ernest died west of Rippey. Also found notes stating Ernest died in Washington, Iowa.

NOTE: There are several different references to Ernest Edward Nicholas' date of birth being 1830, Should be 1838.

Ernest's Baptism was at the Presbyterian Church.

ERNEST EDWARD NICHOLAS
Obituary.
Ernest Edward Nicholas was born in Berlin, Germany, June 25, 1830 and died at the home of his son Byde near Rippey at the age of 94 years, 3 months and 14 days. Mr. Nicholas came to this country when a small boy and made his home at Sublet, Ill. He was united in marriage to Minerva Hastings Dec 12, 1864. Then they moved to Ogden, Iowa and from there to Rippey where they lived together until 1900 when his wife passed to the great Beyond. From this time on he lived with his children until he became so feeble he required special attention. Then he made his home with Byde till Oct. 9, 1924 at 2 p.m. he passed away.
Mr. Nicholas had inited with the Presbyterian Church in Rippey in 1888. Funeral services were held in Rippey Saturday afternoon Oct. 11 and interment made at the Rippey cemetery.
He was survived by his 7 children all whom are living except Ernest who passed away in 1921, Edward of Decatur, Ill., Addie Mullen of Kansas City, Mo., Karl of Peoria, Kan., Ralph of Hugo, Colo., Byde of Rippey and Fred of Kansas City, Mo., all were present except Ralph.

Jefferson Bee Obituary
Wed. Oct 15, 1924
Vol 57 #42
5th page from title pg
Rippey News - Death of E.E. Nichols
(NOTE: Nichols should be spelled Nicholas, also The Bijo should be Bide for Conrad Julius Abijah Nicholas)

Rippey.
Last Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock occurred the death of E. E. Nichols at the home of his son Bijo Nichols. Mr. Nichols has been in very poor health for several years due to his advanced age. He was born in Berlin, Germany and was past 96 years of age at his death. His wife died about twenty-five years ago and since that time he lived alone in Rippey until about three years ago. He leaves to mourn his death, Edd, of Illinois; Carl of eastern Kansas; Fred and Adalaide, of Kansas City and Bijoe, of Rippey, all of whom were present at the funeral.


Film 136 - E
Jefferson Herald Obituary
Thur. Oct 23, 1924
Page 3
E. E. Nicholas.
(NOTE: 1930 birth should be 1838, also he was married to Minerva)

E. E. Nicholas was born in Berlin Germany, June 25, 1930 and died at the home of his son Byde, near Rippey, aged 94 years, 3 months and 14 days on Oct. 9, 1924. He was married to Binerva Hastings, December 12, 1864. She having passed to the great beyond in 1900. He is survived by 6 children. Earnest having passed away in 1921. Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 11, from the M. E. Church. Burial was made in the Rippey Cemetary.

Ernest married Minerva Maria Bacon Hastings on 12 Dec 1867 in Sublet, Illinois. Minerva (daughter of ? and ?) was born on 19 Apr 1839 in Bombay, New York; died on 03 Dec 1900 in Rippey, Greene County, Iowa; was buried in Rippey Cemetary, Rippey, Greene County, Iowa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Possible part American-Indian per family lore.

Minerva lived in Lee County Illinois in Oct 1856 Per marriage paperwork to Edward McKune.

From Kathy McDowell
To Dwight Thompson
Date 20/03/2015 12:17
Subject Comments: Dwight,

I noticed Minerva B HASTINGS' name is spelled as Minerva and Minnerva. [2 'n's]
Still working on her and her family after all these years. Her son Thomas MORRIS
ended up in KS. I can try to find that data for you if you are still interested.

Most sincerely,
Kathy McDowell Cline
Kathy McDowell

Notes:

Marriage Record:
Name: Edward E. Nicholis
Gender: Male
Marriage Date: 1867
Marriage Place: Clinton Co., Iowa
Spouse: Minerva B. Morris
FHL Film Number: 1005210
Reference ID: 2:3PLR6W6

Notes:

Also seen first name as Samuel.

W married Angelina Campbell. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

? married ?. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

married ?. was born in Vermont. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]