Charlotte Delila Nicolaus was born Jan 4, 1934, at home near Hidden Timber, Todd County, S.D.,to Violet (Allen) Karnes and Ivan (Pat) Karnes. She passed away on December 4th, 2020 at O'Neill St. Anthony's hospital after a very short battle with cancer.

Charlotte moved with her family several times during her childhood, from north of Dallas, S.D., to Oregon, and finally settling back on a farm northwest of Naper with her mother, sister Dorthy, brothers Reuben and Lyle, and stepfather, Paul Engelhart.  Later two brothers , Gary and David joined this family.

Charlotte graduated in 1952 from Naper High school and went on to achieve her LPN degree from Saint Mary's School of Practical Nursing in Pierre, S.D., graduating in 1953.  She worked as a nurse at St. Anthony's hospital in O'Neill.

On February 1, 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Harley LeRoy Nicolaus at the old Congregational Church in Naper Nebraska.  They made their home on a small farm north east of Naper and then moved into Naper where she lived until her passing. They were blessed with 4 children. Loren LeRoy, Alan Ray, Lois Ann, and Merle Edward.    Charlotte was a lifelong member of VFW post 8256 Auxiliary and active EMT since 1984 for the Naper Ambulance and Boyd County Ambulance into her 80's.  She was an active member of the First United Church of Christ in Naper where she taught Sunday school Bible school, sang in the church choir and was a member of the women's fellowship.

Charlotte was a caregiver.  She not only raised her 4 children but also help others by caring for their children over the years. She was a second mom, aunt, and grandmother to many kids. She was an active member of the Naper community helping with anything that needed to be done.

She was preceded in her passing by her only love of 49 years, Harley and her beloved son, Merle, sister Dorthy Neiman and brother Reuben Karnes

Those left to cherish her memories and are blessed to have shared her life are her children: Loren (Barbara) Nicolaus, Alan Nicolaus and  special friend Jackie Kilmurry, Lois (Kelly) Vogt. Penny Nicolaus(Ronnie) Roth. Grandchildren: Lisa Vogt, Pamela (Doug) Tillman, Blair (James) Kluckman, Shane Nicolaus, Scott Nicolaus, and Noah Nicolaus, Joslyn (Brandon) Clark, Levi Roth, Kody Roth.  Great Grandchildren: Josie Ketelhut. Malcolm Ketelhut, Noah Tillman, Nathan Tillman, Zander Kluckman, ReNae Kluckman, and Harley Clark. Brothers Lyle (Carolyn) Karnes, Gary Engelhart, and David Engelhart; many nieces and nephews, family and friends.

Public visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at the UCC Church in Naper, Nebraska from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM.  Private family services will follow.