Carol Edna Nichols, 68, died Aug. 2, 2026 in Missoula. She was born Nov. 24, 1957, in Culbertson to Aldon and Thelma Nichols. She attended Culbertson elementary school and high school and graduated in 1976. Later in life, she was the theater director at the school. After high school, she joined the National Guard and served alongside her father for several years. She attended Northern Montana College in Havre and received a degree in business. After college, she returned to Culbertson to work for the ASCS oce and eventually transferred to Bozeman and Great Falls. She retired from the USDA oce in 2019. She had a prestigious 30year career working for the government, creating bonds with all she met. When she retired, she moved to Apache Junction, Ariz., and became a snowbird traveling between Apache Junction and Great Falls. In 1984, she became a mother and found her true calling in life. Her and her daughter, Elly, were two peas in a pod. In 2008, she became a grandmother — “Maamma.” She and her grandson traveled and saw the world together. She was a kind, loving, free spirit, life of the party person who would take anyone under her wing and help them through any crisis they might have. She loved to travel and made friends everywhere she went. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth “Elly” Nichols; three grandchildren; brother, Harvey Nichols of Billings; and sisters, Cathy Beyer of Apache Junction, Ariz., Anita Podgurski of Missoula and Vickie Roller. She was preceded in death by her sister, Judy Nichols.