Nicole "Nikki" Brotherson

NICOLE BROTHERSON IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Nicole was a person you did not lose in a crowd, with her pink hair and her outgoing, vibrant personality. You never knew if her hair was going to be pink, purple, blue, or some combinations of all. She was a person you either hated or loved; there was no middle of the road with her. She had a heart as big as Texas and opinions to match. She loved well, laughed often, and fought like cats and dogs for those she took under her wing. She died in the home she loved, next to the man she loved and passed peacefully at the tender age of 37. Nicole was born in Van Nuys, California, on August 11, 1972. Her mother is Joni (Goldsborough) Ayling, who is married to Lee Ayling. Her father’s name is Eliseo Villarreal, Jr. who is an American citizen and a descendant from a long line of proud Mexican immigrants. She was proud of her Mexican heritage and was bilingual. At one time, she had an opportunity to work in a Mexican restaurant which had hired several Spanish-speaking employees. She thought it was funny to watch people speaking Spanish around her and they not know that she understood them, because her appearance did not reflect that part of her lineage. She had a diversified resume and was a person who had driven semi trucks as a long haul driver, worked in a processing plant, catered for rock stars and a museum, managed Pizza Hut, looked after her husband as a homemaker, and was a talented artist. She loved to cook and was able to attend culinary classes at a school in Florida. She most wanted to be a chef and run her own catering business with her father-in-law as her partner. She had so many ideas for businesses, such as running a year round track for motor bikes in the summer and snow machines in the winter. She adored children and loved to babysit her nieces and nephews who easily learned to lover her, too. She loved scrapbooking, animals, volunteering in soup kitchens, and helping the Humane Society. When she moved to Idaho and got used to the weather, her husband taught her to love snowmobiling. Her greatest thrill was to ride her snow machine with her husband and enjoy the time and beautiful locations that are so much a part of Idaho. She has lived in different parts of the country including Florida, Maine, Virginia, and California. Just a year and a half ago, she finally called Idaho her home. She is survived by her husband, Sebastian Brotherson, her daughter, Harley Collins, her mother and step-father, Joni and Lee Ayling, and her grandparents Howard and Shirley Smith. It was her grandparents who helped raise her into the responsible person she tried so hard to be. She is also survived by Sebastian’s brothers, Adam and Joshua, his sisters, Amber and Elizabeth, his parents, Bill and Denise Brotherson, and grandparents, Floyd and Gayle Brotherson. She was a baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and she loved her Father in Heaven very much. She was still learning about Him and got very excited when she would learn something new. Whatever she was asked to do, she threw herself into it and gave it her all. We can imagine her in heaven cooking for her family that has gone before her and loving every minute of it. We loved her very much and will also miss her very much. A Celebration of Life in Nicole’s honor will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, February 6, 2010, at the Ammon LDS 17th Ward, 4375 Sunnyside Road. Please bring a food dish to share with family and friends. PLEASE do NOT bring flowers. If you wish to make a memorial donation, a bank account at Citizen’s Bank (in Nikki’s name) has been set up to help pay the funeral costs. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: