Gina Shirley Nicholas

Gina Shirley Nicholas, of Ammon, Idaho, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2025, at Eastern Idaho regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls from complications of a stroke. She was born November 24, 1951, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Cylylie DeWiner and Shirley Elizabeth Russell.

Gina worked as both a cosmetologist and a registered nurse. She owned and operated a beauty shop out of her home, where she shared her talent and creativity with many clients. After remarriage, she taught cosmetology students and was very successful with sharing her knowledge and wisdom. Later, she worked very hard and obtained her Registered Nursing degree in 2002 and continued to show her compassion, dedication, and love as a person to all of her patients and families she cared for. Her beloved husband Mark, who as a lifetime dedicated helicopter pilot for both EMS and Firefighting allowed her and her children to travel the country and Gina migrated into working as a as a traveling nurse for American Mobile, serving in hospitals across the United States. Both Mark and Gina devoted their lives to their children, never allowing them to go without, even if they themselves were struggling. They enriched them with life, fun, travel, silly road trips, and overall lifelong experiences that their children will never forget.

Over the years, Gina lived in Rigby, Menan, and Ammon, Idaho; Texas, Utah, Colorado, and California. Much of her moving was due to her marriage to Mark Abraham Nicholas, a helicopter pilot who worked in EMS and firefighting. Eventually, she returned to Ammon to be near her family, where she resided until her passing.

Gina was blessed with many talents. She was an amazing seamstress and loved quilting, crocheting, and knitting. She was also a gifted artist who enjoyed painting, drawing, and making porcelain dolls. Her love for music began at a young age; she was an accomplished piano player who started playing when she was just five years old. Gina also loved to travel and loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Mark Abraham Nicholas of Ammon, Idaho; her daughters Shelby G (Donnie) Cox, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Amber Steinmetz of Lincoln (Idaho Falls), Idaho; her son Sam (Michelle) Sovensen of Midland-Odessa, Texas; sister Cheryl Mepike of Las Vegas, Nevada; and four nieces-Kim, Coy, Keri, and Krista and and handful of Nieces and Nephews. She is also survived by eight grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her first born daughter Brandy, her brother Robert, and her past brother-in-law John Swagger.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Eckersell Funeral Home, (101 West Main Street, Rigby, Idaho) with a visitation prior from 1:00 to 2:00. At the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com