On October 5, 2024, Nicole Lynn Gaona, passed away at her home in Gothenburg, at the age of 54.  She was born one of two girls to David and Shirley (Sukraw) Seaton on February 20, 1970, in Gothenburg.

Nicole attended Brady High School, graduating with the class of 1988.  Soon after graduation, she married Alex D'Aquila and the couple moved to New Jersey, where they lived when welcoming their son, Dominic into the world.  While living on the East coast, Nicole spent a short time working in clinical settings but the couple soon returned to Nebraska.  After their separation, Nicole found herself pursuing a nursing degree at Mid Plains Community College, receiving her RN in 1997.  After meeting Gilbert Gaona and welcoming his son, Chandler, as her own, the couple also had a son, Camron, together.

Nicole's entire career life was dedicated to nursing and helping those that needed it.  She worked for several surrounding nursing facilities and was the Director of Nursing at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg and Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala.  She was the MDS Coordinator at the Sutherland Care Center and spent a time at Linden Court and Cozad Community Health and Hospice where she was most recently working.  Clinical settings were once a great fear for Nicole but became her greatest passion, next to her family.  Perhaps her proudest accomplishment was the joy she found in life through her sobriety.  Nicole touched dozens of lives through the North Platte AA Organizations and was that survivor that wanted to help others up and walk next to them on their journey.

Strength and compassion are two words that encompass who Nicole was.  She was kind hearted and fierce with just enough 'sass' to make things interesting.  Nicole was a particularly devoted mother and aunt in a way that a lot of people are not.  She loved to cook, making the best spaghetti & meatballs and homemade pizza.  Cooking and quilting helped her pass time and she felt a special connection to music, especially country and was thrilled to attend a concert.  Nicole also loved to be pampered, spending a couple hours a day on her iconic curly hair, and always making sure to get her eyelashes filled every other week by Casey at Emerald Soul Beauty.  She was a dog mom, treating her wiener dogs like royalty, and had an affinity to dragonflies and Gerber Daisies.

Family that remains to carry on Nicole's love include her sons, Dominic D'Aquila and his dad, Alex, Camron (Liz Sitorius) Gaona and Chandler Gaona and their dad, Gilbert; sister and uniquely close best friend, Tonja Shaw; nephews, Chevas (Sarah) Shaw, Radley (Avery) Shaw; niece, Emilee (Paul White) Shaw; friends, Tiffany Donner, Trish Sitorius, Wendy Walker, and Julie Griffith; and a mountain of treasured companions. Nicole especially adored all the women in her life.

Nicole was preceded in death by her parents, Dave and Shirley Seaton.

Memorials are suggested to the North Platte AA Organizations or Hilltop Estates, two places she was passionate about.  Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.

Services will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 1 PM at The Crossing Fellowship in Gothenburg with Pastor Barry Holbrook as officiant. Private inurnment will be held in Plainview Cemetery, Maxwell.  Visitation is Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home from 12 PM to 7 PM with family present from 5 PM to 7 PM.  Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.