Esther Bess Nicholson, 91, of Holton, KS passed away Friday, December 18, 2009 at her daughter's home in Holton. She was born December 16, 1918 in Florence, KS the daughter of Troy P. and Leona Anderson Bess.
Esther lived in Abilene and Topeka before moving to Holton during the depression. She graduated from Holton High School in 1937. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Holton and the Unity Circle at the church. Esther was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star and two bridge clubs.
She was married to Morris Gilkerson on November 3, 1939 in Holton and together with his mother and brother they operated Gilk's Potato Chip Factory during WWII. She also worked for Ford Motor Co. in Holton as a bookkeeper during the 1950's. Morris passed away in 1959. Esther married H.J. "Nick" Nicholson on December 30, 1962 and they moved to Iola, KS. She owned and operated Mode O' Day dress shop in Iola for 10 years. She also took several classes at Iola Junior College in ceramics, wood carving and painting. Nick passed away in 1993 and Esther moved back to Holton in 1994.
Survivors include her daughter, Peggy Anderson (Greg) of Holton, KS; her sister, Marjorie Ellis of Sun City Center, FL and her granddaughter, Crystal Morgan (Ron) of Kechi, KS.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church in Holton. Interment will be in Holton Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday evening at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Memorials may be given to the church or Jackson Co. Friends of Hospice c/o Mercer Funeral Home, Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.