Gladeen Eleanor Nicolas

1930 - 2025

Gladeen Eleanor Nicolas
Big Rapids, Michigan
09/21/1930 - 09/12/2025
Big Rapids – Gladeen Eleanor Nicolas, 94, passed away peacefully Friday, September 12, 2025, at her home in Big Rapids surrounded by her family.
She was born September 21, 1930, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Edward and Eleanor (Keranen) Pochel. Gladeen grew up in Chicago, Hobart, IN, and Houghton, MI. In 1951 she married George Nicolas, and they lived in the Dearborn are for five years.
In 1956, George was hired at Ferris Institute, so they moved to Big Rapids where they raised their six children. She was a member of St. Paul Campus Parish since its inception in 1959.
The most important thing in Gladeen's life was her family and being a mom. She enjoyed reading, singing, traveling, walking, and did various volunteer work over the years, including spearheading the installation of a new track for the Big Rapids High School in the 1980's.
She is survived by her children, Gary (Kym) Nicolas, Greg Nicolas, Nancy Hisem, all of Big Rapids, Jim (Vanessa) Nicolas of Grant, MI, and Jeff (Heather) Nicolas of Castle Rock, CO; daughter-in-law Linda Nicolas of San Antonio, TX; twelve grandchildren; and twelve great grandchildren. Gladeen was preceded in death by her husband George, her oldest son George Jr. (Nick), and her parents.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Monday, September 29, 2025, at St. Paul Campus Parish in Big Rapids with Father Jegar Fickel as celebrant. Gladeen's family will greet friends beginning at 10 a.m., Monday at the church. She will be laid to rest at Highland View Cemetery in Big Rapids. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her name may be made to Big Rapids Community Library (Friends of the library group) or Manna Pantry.