Lyla Mae Nikolas Obituary
Inurnment will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Lyla died June 9, 2016 at her home with her husband of 54 years and her family at her side. Lyla Mae Emery, daughter of Woodrow Wilson and Della Rose (Grandpre) Emery was born July 25, 1940 at Frederick, SD. She graduated from Frederick High School in 1958. She then attended Ellendale Normal and Industrial School for two years.
Lyla decided to delay her college education and went to work in the office at John Morrell & Co in Aberdeen. Lyla met Robert "Bob" Nikolas at work and they had their first date on Gypsy Day, 1960. They were united in marriage on August 26, 1961 in St. Mary's Catholic Church and made their home in Aberdeen. She continued to work until her second child was born.
Tiffany Elementary School. She then served as secretary at C C Lee Elementary School for a total of 22 years, retiring in 2002. Lyla was also a partner in a business called "TEAM," Technology Education and More, for five years in the 1990's. Lyla was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She was a master seamstress; loved gardening flowers and vegetables.
She enjoyed book binding keepsake books for friends and family. She was very interested in genealogy and tracked the Nikolas family through the past 100 years. Lyla had a gift for tedious work and had the ability to solve problems. She had a special talent in operating office equipment, including computers and various copy and printing machines.
Her oft repeated advice to family and co-workers was, "Read the manual." Grateful for having shared Lyla's life is her husband, Robert; three daughters, Robi (Todd) Kolden, Carmen Nikolas and Julie Nikolas, all of Aberdeen and six grandchildren, Danielle (Jarret Smith) Hoffman, Griffin Thomure, Emery Thomure, Jacob Nikolas, and Gabriella Nikolas.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Shawn (11-25-99) and brother, Duane Emery (6-2-2008). Urnbearer will be Bob Nikolas. The organist will be Stephanie Raap and cantor is Susan Appl; special music by Lyla's daughters and grandchildren. Offertory Gifts will be presented by Lyla's grandchildren. The lector is David Nikolas.
