Jerry “The Old Dog” Nichols of Helena passed away October 27, 2017 at home, surrounded by his family. Jerry was born November 27, 1931 in Rochester, MN. After graduating from High School he proudly served 4 years in the US Navy during the Korean War. In 1951 he married Mary Runkel; they recently celebrated 66 wonderful years together.
After discharge from the Navy Jerry played semi-professional hockey for the Rochester Mustangs until age 36. He was a union plumber in Rochester and worked for H. Dornack for many years. Being an avid outdoorsman and loving Montana, Jerry moved his family to Townsend in 1972 and started his own business, Tri County Plumbing, which later became Tri-County Mechanical and Electrical.
Jerry was an avid golfer, but his greatest joy was being a father to 7 children. Upon retirement, Jerry and Mary traveled to Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Hawaii, Bahamas, and France, until becoming snowbirds to Sun City West, AZ.
Jerry was preceded in death by his infant brother, Daniel, parents, Theodore and Dorothy Nichols, son, Mike Nichols, and grandson, Nathan Nichols. He is survived by his wife Mary, his children, Dan (Colleen) Nichols, Lynn (Gene) Nelson, Susan (Jerry) Anderson, Pat (Doug) Stewart, Julie (Brad) Sanders and Tom Nichols (Patty Mitchell), all of Helena. He is also survived by his sister, Sharon Simone (Lemont, IL), 12 grandchildren; Don, Jessi, Riki, Brooke, Zach, Nick, Luke, Tessa, Dani, Andy, Cody, and Caitlyn, and 7 great grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 2nd at the St. Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Avenue. A reception will immediately follow the Mass at the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Reception Hall, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Hospice of St. Peter’s Hospital c/o St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Jerry.
RIP Old Dog!
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
2:00 p.m.
Thursday November 2, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Mass
Thursday November 2, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N, Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Rick O’Connell says
Mary and family. Sorry to hear about Jerry passing. He was one of a kind. A great family man, business man and world class bs’er. He wasn’t afraid to take a risk and his business savvy provided a lot of jobs in our area. More important if you were a friend of his he’d go to the end of the world for you. Glad I wasn’t his adversary. We’ll miss you old dog, now go get Heaven organized.
Tom Juhl says
Dan sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, prayers to you Colleen, and your Mother……
Grace Gilmore says
I was so sorry to hear of Nick’s passing but did have a chance to see him the previous Friday. . He was a wonderful friend and will be greatly missed. I just happened to be drinking a scotch and soda when I got the text from Mary so I had another one in his honor. He would have liked that!!!!!
Joe Mathews says
Sue, Mary and Family:
We were so sorry to hear about Nick. He lived a wonderful life and will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Joe Mathews and Kathy Wilkins
Cindy, Al Runkel says
I have great memories with Nick. Good man – Great father and Grandpa . Good friend of my Dad. He will be missed. We send our love to all.
Maria Meade says
Tessa just told me. I am so sorry to hear. I am thinking of you all.
Love, Maria
Jim & Jo Burrington says
Mary, So sorry for not only your loss but our loss as you and Jerry are such dear friends. We are so thankful for your hospitality in getting to have one more “happy hour” with The Nichols. We had just arrived in Mesquite when we received the sad news. He’ll keep everyone o n their toes in heaven. God bless you and all your family and we will be in touch.
Pat Runkel says
Many fond memories of Uncle Nick.. all the good times as a kid at the Runkel/Nichols cabin (“bat haven”) in Minong WI. Vividly remember watching him and my dad ram/slam this heavy metal contraption into the ground umpteen times to get the pump going so we could drink water and flush a toilet (sometimes, it worked). I also see him valiantly trying to get the engine of a ratchety old motor boat started, yanking the cord umpteen times, so we could water ski. He never gave up till it started. With his deep gravelly Al Green voice, Uncle Nick was one of the few people I could always hear well as a child. And he was a good guy to hear. Great sense of humor and a wild streak in him (despite 7′ kids) that I always admired. I can still hear his laugh. Decades later, when I visited from Missoula, Nick was warm and welcoming as ever, excited to share all his research into the family genealogy. He was a wonderful man with great character. His likes won’t be seen again. Sending love to Aunt Mary and all the Nichols clan.
Cleo Schultz says
Tom and Family, So sorry to hear about your fathers passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Butch and Chico
Sandy and Larry Crawford says
We are so sorry for your loss. Jerry’s was an amazing man who will be missed by all those who knew him and loved him. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Cherish the memories!!
Monte & Mary Ellen Schnur says
Mary and family,
We so enjoyed knowing Jerry and your family when you lived in Townsend. Monte has so many fond memories of good hunting days with “Nick”. Jerry was a very good friend. We often think of you. You are in our prayers for comfort at this hard time; Jerry is in our prayers of thanksgiving as an important person in our lives.
Julie (Stinchfield) DeMars says
So very sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing… I will be keeping you family in my thoughts and prayers. He is in good company in heaven- I’m sure my dad welcomed him well!
Karen DImmitt says
Mary and entire Nichols family, My thoughts and prayers are with each of you today. Hold on to all the special memories made over many years. Hugs!
Joanie Werner Mathis says
Mary, my condolences to you and your family for losing your husband. It was my privilege to be your banker through the years and part of the Summit Club at Mountain West Bank. Many blessings to your family at the sad time.
Mary Runkel says
After the train crash near Carroll College in 1989 – I was due to have our first child in a few weeks and the pipes froze solid we were staying with friends and Jerry made sure our pipes were thawed even before his own house! A deed that will never be forgotten by our family.
My thoughts and prayers to Mary and her lovely family at this time. May great memories bring you peace.
Connie Vergine RDH, So Hills Dental says
Jerry was always a bright spot in our day at the dental office. He was quick to tell a funny story, enlighten me on Arizona, talk about his family or just how he was. He was kind, positive and well grounded in his personality. I know he was very proud of his family as well as glad to be able to pass on his business and enjoy his later years in retirement. I’m sad to hear of his passing. He suffered the same disease as my father. My sincere condolences to Mary and all of the families!
Marge O'Leary says
From the Gordon Nichols Family in Milwaukee, WI…..
We are very sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. Our love and prayers go out to you and your family. My dad, Gordon, had nothing but good to say of Jerry, and remembers what a great hockey player he was. May he rest in Heaven now, and be reunited with the rest of the family. God’s blessings to you all.