Connie Jeanne Noland Hicks passed away February 26, 2025 in Eureka, Nevada. Connie was born on June 23, 1932 to Austin William and Wilma Lee Pitman Noland in the parlor of her maternal grandparent’s home in Wabaunsee, Kansas. The Pitman’s were farmers there in Kansas. She always referred to her grandparents as “Ma” and “Pa” Pitman, and said some of her happiest years were spent with them on their farm. Due to the depression, her father had to travel for work, so they stayed with them a lot, with her sister Zelda Noland Stead and brother Roger Noland. For a brief time, they lived in Leadville, CO., and Buena Vista, CO.
In 1942 their mother passed away and after living with their grandparents for some time, Connie, Roger, and Zelda joined their father in Eureka, Nevada, in 1945. Her father Austin Noland was employed as a lead carpenter, constructing mill and mine buildings at Mt. Hope Mine and Ruby Hill Mine.
Connie married Ronald V. Hicks, the boy next door, on August 8, 1948. They made their home in Eureka, Nevada, where they raised their children Pat, Bill, and Rhonda.
Connie worked hard through Eureka County High School and received her GED Diploma in 1970. Something she was very proud of and desired all her life.
Ronald and Connie and their daughter Rhonda moved to Elko, Nevada, in 1970 where Ronald managed the Standard Oil Bulk Plant until 1986.
After Rhonda’s graduation from Elko High School, Connie continued her dream of continued education and enrolled in Elko’s Northern Nevada Community College in 1983 and 1984, where she earned an associate degree in General Education. She was named that year’s “Outstanding Women Student” of Elko Community College. It gave her great pride to have accomplished her lifetime dream of a college degree.
After her husband Ronald’s passing in 1987, she worked at the Northern Nevada Museum, in Elko for a time, before she moved on to a job with Tricon Metals, as a secretary. She enjoyed the job and her duties, but she especially enjoyed the people she worked with.
|Connie returned to Eureka in 1990, where she lived in the old family home until her passing. She enjoyed researching and printing Eureka History. She had a number of her research papers printed. Connie enjoyed her final 25 years in Eureka where she spent time with old friends and family. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald, oldest daughter Patricia, father Austin, and mother Wilma “Honey”, brother Roger, sister Zelda, and many close friends. Connie is survived by her daughter Rhonda (Phil) Brown, son Bill (Robin) Hicks, eleven grandchildren Patrick and Scott Robinson, Willy, Andy, and Jim McCulloch, Ryan and Clint Tognotti, David, Sam, and Brandon Hicks and Danny Brown, twenty-four great grandchildren and many cherished and loved nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the Eureka High School Gymnasium, Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. Viewing at 10:30 A.M. Followed by graveside services, weather permitting, at the Cedar Hills Cemetery. Reception held at the Eureka Opera House following graveside services.
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