Leland (Lee) J. Nicholson
Born March 21st, 1949 in Sidney, Montana, Lee Nicholson passed away peacefully at his Helena home on July 12, 2020, aged 71 years.
Lee was a Vietnam veteran, having served in the U.S. Army 173rd Airborne Unit, 1967-70, and was a member of the VFW for the rest of his life. He retired from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad after 25 years. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Lee engaged in many related activities. He was Chief Hunter’s Safety Instructor of Hill County, as well as a coach and instructor for the Junior Rifle Club. He was an actor in Missoula’s OUTLAWS, a theatrical gunfighting troupe. He was a competitive shooter in Helena’s Trap Club, as well as a member of the VA Honor Guard.
Lee was passionate about cars and dogs as well. In Havre, with his stepsons, he organized and participated in Go-Kart Racetrack. He was a long-standing member in the Chevy’s Best and Helena Street Rodders classic car clubs, showing his beloved ’57 Chevy. With his wife of 29 years, he bred and showed Shar-Peis, handling his champion dogs in Conformation and Obedience competitions around the Mid- and Northwest.
Lee will be remembered for his congeniality, gregariousness, sense of humor and generosity. He enjoyed meeting and talking to people and has friends across the country. He loved young people, and took every opportunity to reach out to them, whether through his coaching activities, donating time to charities, or simply offering dollar bills to children he encountered.
Lee is preceded in death by mother Mollie, father Harold, brothers Wayne and Richard, sisters Cheryl and Charlotte, daughter Lisa, stepson Wade, nephew Richard and niece Becky. He is survived by wife Nancy, daughters Anjie and Tara, stepson Greg, stepdaughter Nina, 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Lee would be honored if you remembered him by being kind to animals and being grateful for all you have been blessed with.
A Funeral Service is scheduled for 1 p.m., Friday, July 17th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Burial with military honors will follow the service at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lee’s memory may be made to the Helena Kennel Club Grants Program, PO Box 415, Helena MT, 59624 Attn: Lee Nicholson Donation.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday July 17, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
After the service
Friday July 17, 2020
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Williams Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Friday July 17, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial with Military Honors
After the service
Friday July 17, 2020
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
1900 Williams Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
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mark a johnson says
Rest in peace my friend
Susan and rich proul says
Nancy and family, so very sorry for your loss. May he rest in eternal peace.
Jackie Laverdiere says
Nancy and family, prayers and blessings. We did have some good times together! I am so sorry for your loss.
Harold Vaile says
Lee an d I worked together at BN diesel shop at Havre , what I remember most about Nick is his sense of humor and laughter , RIP buddy.
Steve Sautter says
I’m saddened to hear of Lee’s passing. All of our trapshooting family will miss him. We offer our sympathies and hopes for solace to Lee’s family.
Maggie and Steve Mccartney says
We were so sorry to hear of Lee’s death. We will always be grateful to Lee and Nancy for introducing us to our beloved Marley and Ziggy. Like me, Lee loved those Shar Peis. That is a great picture of him. May God comfort you Nancy and family in your time of sorrow.
Dan and Cheri Seed says
We’re so sorry to hear of Lee’s passing Nancy.
We have many fond memories of the good times we had in HSR with you both. If life can be measured by giving back through service, ease of humor and love for animals, Lee has taught us well. God bless you all at this difficult time.
Patti & John Thompson says
Nancy, our condolences to you and the whole family. Lee, along with his brother Richard, protected myself and my sisters when bullies would try to beat us up! He would always come a-runnin’ to help us girls out. Very precious and fond memories of this bigger than life man I am proud to call my friend and cousin! Love y’all!
Terry Thomas & Teri Bingham says
Nancy,our sincere condolences are with you at this difficult time.Many great memories with the Helena Street Rodders and the 57 Chevy.Rest in peace Lee, we’ll miss you !
Marvin Russette says
I always enjoyed working with Lee at the BN Havre Diesel Shop on Turn Crew. There always seemed to be a lots of laughing and joking when Lee was in the Turn Crew truck. My condolences to the family.
Lee and Christal Anderson says
Our condolences to the Nicholson family. It seems like just yesterday when we first met. Between Helena Street Rodders, Blue Cross Blue Shield, New Year’s Eve fondues and games, Christmas lights and cocoa, Art Walks, Halloween Barn Hauntings, 4th of July views, Valentine’s and birthday dinners, even plumbing at our house and tiling at yours, and more recently duck feeding, remote control car driving, picnics, and video watching with great-grandson Kaycen, along with the hundreds of other times we got together, the years are filled with memories. We will miss our friend, your Lee. May he rest in peace. Lee and Christal Anderson, Laura (Anderson) Burger, and Kaycen Sharp
Linda Boe says
Nancy and family we are so sorry for your loss. Lee was such a good guy he is truly going to be missed. We know he is in a better place, out of pain and resting, we still wish he wasn’t gone. Our condolences Nancy and if there is anything we can do please let us know. Arnie and Linda Boe
gARY HORNING says
Sorry to hear of Lee’s passing.Sounds like he had a meaningful,busy retirement! That is good.Condolences to his family!
David Lloyd says
I was sad to learn of Lee’s passing. He and I shot together many times and visited also at the trap club here and at those we attended. He was a good competitor and always a gentleman.
As a fellow dog lover and shooter, I enjoyed our conversations.
My condolences to the family
Dave Lloyd
Marlin J Bristor says
I have known Lee since 1965 when my mom and I went to Montana to visit my sister Wanda, we immediately liked each other and this started a life long friendship, I have so many great memories, years might go by without seeing each other but when we did get together it was as if no time had passed, I remember the first time I met Nancy how proud Lee was to introduce her to us in Minnesota, Nancy, Lee loved you with his whole heart and would always talk about you.
Lee will be missed but never forgotten, with all my love, Marlin
Dan Carpenter and Cheryl Romsa says
Nancy, Sorry to hear about Lee. We had some great times, fun times with the car club and at the Lost Horse Drag Strip. We had a couple of nice elk hunting trips and some fun Wednesday night cruises. You are in our thoughts. God Bless.
Dan and Cheryl