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Obituaries

Journey to the Spirit World

This page serves as a space to honor and remember the lives of our tribal members who have passed away. Here, we come together as a compassionate and supportive community to pay tribute to their legacies.

Obituary picture of Nicole Rose Nelson
Nicole Rose Nelson

Born: March 24, 1978
Journeyed to the Spirit World: September 22, 2020

Nicole “Kola Beans” Rose Nelson (Lange), 42, of Flandreau, SD, passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Nicole was born in Flandreau, SD on March 24, 1978 to Gregg Nelson and Brenda Crow. She grew up in Flandreau, attending school at both Flandreau Public School and in Dell Rapids. At age 19, she met Lloyd Lange and they committed their lives to one another. Together, they had two daughters, Amber and Ashley. Nicole worked as a housekeeper for many years at the Royal River Casino in Flandreau. A couple of her favorite jobs include working as a clerk at Prairie Junction and The Mart because of her extraverted personality and love of people. Nicole also worked as a receptionist for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe of which she was an enrolled member. Nicole loved fishing, camping, and cheering on her Minnesota Vikings. She had a creative spirit and could often be found pouring herself into her drawings, paintings, and crafts. She will be remembered by her family for her big smile, contagious laugh, and kindness.

Nicole is survived by her husband, Lloyd Lange, Flandreau; two daughters, Amber Rose Lange (significant other, Christopher Miller), Sioux Falls, and Ashley Ann Lange (significant other, Cameron Schipper), Volga, SD; brother, Skye Lynn Nelson, Sioux Falls; sister, Meryl Jeanne Nelson (Fiancé, Daren Stambach), Bruce, SD; step-mother, Laura Hinrichs, Flandreau; cousin, Zach Crow; and one grandchild on the way. She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gregg Nelson and Brenda Crow, her grandparents: Bette and Walter Bach, Mickey Nelson; Grandma and Grandpa Duck, and many other extended relatives.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Eastman Hall, Flandreau. An all night wake will begin 5:00 pm Thursday and will continue until the funeral service with a prayer service on Friday night, beginning at 5:00 pm. Burial will take place when Nicole and Lloyd can be eternally together at rest.