Lida LuAnn Nicholai

Lida was born to Jerry Nicholai and Phyllis Tonasket on May 21, 1965. She was named “Lida” after her grandma “Ida Peone” – “little Ida,” she teased. Lu after Donnie and Orten’s mom “Lou Boyd” and Anne after Orten. She had an older sister Nicole Nicolette Nicholai that passed away at 1 years old. Her siblings include brothers Perry Tonasket, Nick, Beau Zack Nicholai, Margo Hill, Vern and Derek Wynne. 
Lida was fortunate to have many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and extended family on reservations across the northwest – Colville, Coeur d’Alene, Salish-Kootenai (Flathead), Kootenai and Yakama reservations. Her aunties, uncles and cousins loved her spirit, her beauty and her happy nature.
Lida graduated from Wellpinit High School in 1983. She had two beautiful daughters Nicole and Naomi Stearns. She has five grandchildren: Louie Lynn, Neveah Andrew, Norman Ford jr., Jefferey and Cocoa Lasarte.
We know Lida was in a lot of pain. And her body fought as long as it could. She was so strong and had a beautiful spirit. She had a good attitude. There was a quote “Sometimes it takes more Courage to go on living then to give up.” That was Lida. She had courage. That’s how we will remember our sister, auntie, cousin and friend. She suffered more than all of us but continued to have a helpful and good spirit. She was tougher than all of us. 

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