HAYS — Celia Gay Nicholson, 83, a longtime Hays resident, died Aug. 25, 2026, in Bloomington, Ind. She was born Nov. 24, 1942, in Great Bend, Kan., the daughter of George E. and Leona C. (Muench) Eveleigh. After graduating from Hoisington High School, Celia attended Kansas State University where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. On July 26, 1964, she married her high school sweetheart, Larry M. Nicholson. They were blessed with two children, Eric and Jill. They raised their family in Hays.