Nola Jean Nolan, age 81 of Fairfax, SD passed away on Friday, December 7, 2018 at the Butte Senior Living Center in Butte, NE.  She was born on February 23, 1937 on the family farm north of Bonesteel, SD, the daughter of Elvin and Tracy (Janousek) Bailey.  She was the fifth  of fifteen children.

Nola was 15 years old when she moved to Bonesteel.  She rented one of Elmer Shipman's apartments with two friends.  She worked at the Pee Wee Teepee Café after school and on weekends.  Beginning wages were 25 cents an hour.  She saved enough of her wages to buy her class ring, senior pictures, prom dress, and wedding dress.  She graduated from Bonesteel High School in 1955.

Nola married Elden Nolan on June 11, 1955 at the St. Anthony's church in Fairfax.  Their first home was east of Fairfax on Randal Creek.  In 1958, they moved to a farm north of Lynch, NE. In 1969, she went to work at the café in Lynch.  Then in 1971, she went to work as a nurse's aide at the Niobrara Valley Hospital in Lynch.  While there they formed a lifelong family of neighbors who worked together farming, met together often to celebrate their children's birthdays, played cards together, and supported each other in times of need.

In 1985, Elden and Nola moved to Lander, WY.  Nola worked for 13 years at the Wyoming State Training School.  She was a shift supervisor and thoroughly enjoyed her work at the training school.  In 1999, they returned to South Dakota and bought their home in Fairfax.  Nola worked at the café in Fairfax for 2 ½ years before retiring.

Nola was a hard worker and was always busy doing something.  She treasured her time spent with family and friends.  She was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing large meals for her family on Sundays, holidays, and birthdays.  When her grandchildren were young she enjoyed the yearly summer trips with them.  She cherished her time spent with friends dancing, playing cards, traveling together, and playing Bingo.

Nola was preceded in death by her parents Elvin and Tracy Bailey; her sisters, Elizabeth Hoffman, Mary Ballard, and Dorothy Ferguson; her brother, Marvin Bailey; infant grandson, Tony Nolan; son-in-law, Bruce Ford.

Nola is survived by her husband, Elden of 62 years; four children: Debra Ford of Fairfax, Dennis (Joleen) Nolan of Bonesteel, SD, Darrell (Kristi) Nolan of York, NE, and Dan (Brenda) Nolan of Lynch, NE; brothers and sisters: Judy (Dale) Nolan, Eben (Patty) Bailey, Richard (Margaret Ann) Bailey, Ruth (Gary) Lundburg, Gayle (Harriet) Bailey, Earl (Tootie) Bailey, Leah (Roy) England, Sherrill Kinzie, Fred (Marilyn) Bailey, and Don (Gay) Bailey; one sister-in-law, Karen Bailey; eight grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Nola was a special lady with a smile that warmed our hearts even through her last days.  She will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Fairfax, SD.  Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery, Spencer, NE.  There will be a rosary on Wednesday at 7:00 PM at the church.  Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the church.