Daryll Nicholson died Wednesday, Jan. 23, at her home in Bozeman. She was 81.
She was preceded in death by husband Ken Nicholson, Montana State’s longtime sports information director and later the university’s overall information director.
Born Daryll Jean Smith on Nov. 21, 1937, in Lewistown to Anne and George Smith, she spent her early years in the Brooks area north of Lewistown, beginning her education at a one-room school.
Daryll moved with her family in 1944 to a farm between Stanford and Denton, graduating from high school in Stanford in 1955. She came to Bozeman that fall as a Montana State freshman and spent all but two years of her adult life in the community.
An inquisitive student who later meticulously researched her many world travels, Daryll graduated in 1959 with a degree in education. She was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.
Daryll taught girls’ physical education for a year at Park High School in Livingston, returning to Bozeman in 1960 after marrying Ken. She worked as secretary at KXXL radio station until the birth of son John in September 1961. She gave birth to son Robert in July 1963 and daughter Kathryn in October 1965, with the young family spending the 1966-67 academic year in Stillwater, Okla., while Ken got his master’s degree at Oklahoma State University. Daryll regained her teaching certificate in the late 1970s and worked briefly as a substitute teacher in Belgrade.
Daryll was an accomplished bridge—and later poker—player and enjoyed reading, tennis and walking. After Ken’s death in 1995, Daryll pursued her lifelong love of travel, extensively touring Europe and visiting the Middle East, Asia and South America.
She is survived by her three children, John Nicholson, Robert Nicholson, and Kathryn (Tom) Raunig; three sisters; and two brothers.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Campeau home, 419 South Grand Ave.
Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com
