Fred J. Nikles

Fred J. Nikles, 91, of Belgrade, passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2008. He was born to Julius and Elsie (Sharrer) Nikles on September 24, 1916, in the upper Bridger Canyon area. He was raised by his aunt and uncle Alfred and Anna Nikles, and attended the Upper Bridger School. #8220;Freddy#8221; married Ellen Fogh on December 5, 1945, in Livingston, Montana, and they resided south of Belgrade on the family farm. He was preceded in death by Ellen in September, 1979. Fred was a member of the Belgrade Friendship Club (Senior Center), the Gallatin County Historical Society, and the Peace Lutheran Church of Belgrade. He was an officer in the Mammoth Ditch Company for many years. He was a rancher his whole life; ranching in both the Bridger Canyon area and south of Belgrade. Since 2003, he has resided at Gallatin Rest Home, where he made many friends with both the staff and residents. Fred enjoyed hunting and fishing, a little traveling, and spending time with his friends. He traveled to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas for several years and spent several summers in Alaska, spending time visiting relatives in Saskatchewan, Canada, along the way. He will be remembered for being just an ole country boy. He dearly loved a good joke or a prank, and laughter was his mainstay in life. Freddy never met anyone he couldn#8217;t tease. Survivors include: Nieces Patty (Chuck) Miller of Silver Star, Shirley (Ed) Garver of Council, Idaho, Linda (Bruce) Vadnais of Bismarck, North Dakota, Faye Hagler of Boise, Idaho, Mary Lee Nelson of Minnesota, nephew John Hacker of Kingman, Arizona, cousins Genevieve Nikles, Bernice Otsig, Marguerite (Henry) Baier, and Kay (Bill) Morton of Saskatchewan, Canada, along with his many friends. A funeral service will be he held Monday, February 18, at 1: 30 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Belgrade. Interment to follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman. Visitation noon to 5 Sunday at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Memorials may be made in his name to: Bozeman Deaconess Hospice, 931 Highland Blvd, Suite # 3200, Bozeman, MT 59715 or the Gallatin Historical Society, 317 W. Main, Bozeman, MT 59715. Condolences may be sent to www.dahlcares.com