■ 1941 - 2026

Former Plainville resident Phyllis “Earlene” Nicholson, of Little River, passed away on August 5, 2026, at Rice Community Hospital in Lyons, Kansas, at the age of 85.

She was born on August 2, 1941, in Chandler, Oklahoma, to Earl and Effie (Mefford) Hopkins. She grew up in Chandler and graduated from Chandler High School. Following high school, she attended Garden City Community College for one year.

On July 22, 1960, Earlene married Walter “Leon” Nicholson in Chandler, Oklahoma. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work. Leon preceded her in death on November 23, 2013.

Earlene devoted many years to caring for her family as a homemaker while raising her children. As a dedicated farm wife, she maintained a large garden, canned countless vegetables each season, and lovingly sewed many of her children's clothes. In 1988, she began working at the Finney County Public Library, where she served as a librarian until her retirement in 2003.

A lifelong lover of books, Earlene was an avid reader who appreciated learning and quiet moments with a good story. In her later years, she enjoyed coloring in adult coloring books, working word puzzles, reading, and watching game shows on television.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. Earlene was a faithful member of the Garden City Church of the Nazarene for more than 50 years, where she formed many treasured friendships and served her church family faithfully. Earlene will be remembered for her gentle spirit, unwavering faith, and the love she expressed through caring for her family, tending her garden, preserving the harvest, sewing with skill, and always having a book close at hand.

She is survived by her children, Barry (Arlette) Nicholson of Michigan, Shona (Daryl) Sherraden of Little River, Barth (Stephanie) of Olathe, and Nicole DeMoure of Wichita; 12 grandchildren, Jesse (Karen) Nicholson, Joss (Ryan Shrout), Danielle, Megan, Paige, Meairanda, and Lili Sherraden, Grant (Mary Self) Nicholson, Chelsea (Curtiss Shore) Nicholson, Natalee (Isaac Payne), and Aaron (Hannah) DeMoure; and nine great-grandchildren, Bennett and Miles Nicholson, Wesley and Madelyn Shrout, Sabrina Sherraden, Nolan Payne, and Cowan, Leah and Isla DeMoure.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leon; three sisters, Evelene (Leland) King, Irene (Roy) Wresche, and Bea (Jim) Ward; and grandson, Aiden Sherraden.

A Graveside Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Prior to the service, the family invites everyone to join them for a luncheon at noon in the Fellowship Hall at Turning Point Church of the Nazarene for a time of fellowship, remembrance, and sharing memories.

Memorials are suggested to the Finney County Public Library and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663.