Noel Nichols

A funeral service for Noel Barbara (Neudeck) Nichols, 79, of Dickinson, will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2021 at Stevenson Funeral Home with Pastor Dawn Busch officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Daglum Lutheran Cemetery.

Noel passed away July 17, 2021 at her home in Dickinson surrounded by her family.

Noel Barbara (Neudeck) Nichols was born at home on December 15, 1941 in Beach, North Dakota, the youngest daughter of Charles and Emma (Walker) Neudeck. Growing up with her sisters, Collene and Lynne, she attended school in Beach until her sophomore year of high school. She and her parents moved to Ellensberg, Washington, so her father could help build his brother-in-law’s house. The family returned to Beach for Noel’s junior and senior years of high school, where she graduated with the class of 1959. Noel met Derrold (Derry) and married two years later, on April 2, 1961. She lived on their farm near Daglum for most of her life. Their marriage was blessed with four children: Deane, Darianne, Janeen, and Lanie. Noel worked as a secretary at Beach High School. She also worked for Excel Cleaners and Just for Kids Daycare. At the Daycare she cooked delicious homemade meals and baked special treats for the kids and sometimes even the moms. However, her primary job was as Derry’s helping hand on the farm.

Music was Noel’s passion in life. She began playing at the age of 13 at the Congregational Church in Beach. She went on to play for weddings, funerals, and gatherings in the area for well over 60 years, until she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. During that time, she also played organ for many years at churches in both Belfield and Daglum. Along with playing, Noel taught music lessons in both Belfield and Daglum. She enjoyed playing duets with either her sister Lynne on the piano/organ, or her husband Derry on the accordion. Music and Dancing filled the home and was enjoyed by the entire family.

Noel also loved baking. She baked homemade bread just like her mom, Grandma Emma, and she taught her children and grandchildren how to bake it, too. If her kids or grandkids were ever bored, she would tell them to get out the recipe box and get to work.

Noel was a very proud participant of the Walk-a-Thon for Badlands Ministries Bible Camp near Medora. It started in Belfield, with participants walking all the way to the Badlands Ministries Camp. She, as well as her children, participated in the Walk-a-Thon for two years.

Noel is survived by her children, Deane (Bambi Mansfield) Nichols, South Heart; Darianne (Brad) Johnson; Janeen (Mark Trechock) Nichols; and Lanie Nichols all of Dickinson; nine grandchildren, Derryn (Nicole) Johnson, Joel (Carrie Thom) Johnson, Bryan Johnson, Lexie Nichols, Chandler Nichols, Nathan Nichols, Coedy Nichols, Dakotah Mansfield, and Bennette (Michael Bridger) Mansfield; two great-grandchildren, Jemma and Linkyn Johnson; sister, Collene (Bill) Bares, Fargo, ND; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Derry; her parents, Charles and Emma Neudeck; her sister, Carol Lynne Johnson; three nephews, Lee, Loren and Corey Johnson; her parents-in-law, Waylund and Ardath Nichols; and numerous beloved cousins, aunts and uncles.