Gene Nichols
Gene Nichols, age 88 of Sioux Falls died peacefully at the Ava House on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Funeral services will be at Heritage Funeral Home at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025. Family present for visitation from 4:00- 6:00 p.m.
He was born on May 1, 1937, in Plainfield, Iowa, the son of Charles and Mabel (Carter) Nichols. He was the 3rd of four boys born within four years of one another. Gene grew up on a farm outside Waverly, Iowa, before moving to Cedar Falls. He graduated from Cedar Falls High in 1955 where he was a stellar athlete lettering in football, basketball and track. Although, he was the quarterback on the football team, he kicked a last-minute field goal to help win the conference championship and was the point guard on the basketball team. He was an All-State football and basketball player his senior year. After graduating from Cedar Falls High, he attended Iowa State Teachers College now known as the University of Northern Iowa. While attending college he was the basketball team’s point guard. His freshman year he spotted his future wife, Glenda Lee Rens in the commons. They were married on September 6, 1958, and had two daughters, Lynn Renee (born in Cedar Falls) and Lori Mae (born in Sioux City).
After graduation he taught and coached in Cedar Falls before moving to Sioux City where he continued to teach and coach. Gene elected to continue his education so he enrolled at the University of South Dakota where he was awarded a PhD. in education.
In 1967, he accepted a position with Augustana College where he taught for the next 32 years. He co-founded the gifted student program, taught education psychology and mentored hundreds of student teachers. He was beloved by his students and facility. In 1983, he was the Marshall at the Augustana homecoming parade.
Gene’s upbringing on the farm, which included cleaning the chicken coop and feeding the hogs, not his favorite activities, instilled a strong work ethic which stayed with him his entire life. He was an incredible athlete with great leadership and devotion to his coaches and teammates. He always did the best to his ability in everything he did even with his last battle with cancer. He loved his family, Bichon’s, (Taffy, Penny and Nikki), all sports but in particular the Yankees. He enjoyed retirement in Florida where he swam daily and read many books. Gene knew the key to success was education and hard work. He had a dry sense of humor and infectious laugh. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by Glenda Nichols, daughter Lori (Scott) Kading, grandchildren Bethany (Tyler) Wassom, Brianne (Paul) Cowan, Blake Swee, Kilee (Trevor) Lorenz, Kelsey (Michael) Haas and eleven great-grandchildren; one brother, Ken (Ruth Anne) Nichols. Preceded by death his daughter Lynn Swee and brothers, Bud Nichols and Connie Nichols and niece, Casey Llewellyn.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the University of Augustana’s education department.
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