Nicholas “Nick” A. Rotering, age 69, of Helena passed away in Missoula, Montana peacefully in his sleep on February 23, 2012.
He was born on December 30, 1942 in Butte, Montana to Nick and Dorothy Rotering. He graduated from Butte Central High School, Class of 1961. After High School Nick continued his education at Montana Tech and University of Montana received a Juris Doctorate Degree.
Nick married the love of his life, Carol “Chic” on August 29, 1964 in Helena and started their wonderful life together filled with adventure, love and laughter, and eventually a son and daughter, Nick and Melena. He worked as an attorney at: Legal Services from 1970 – 1973; Department of Corrections from 1973 – 1989; and Department of Transportation from 1989 – 2004.
Nick was a member of the Moose Lodge #639 where he served as Governor and Administrator. He will be remembered as a warm-hearted man that loved nothing more than a good Montana Grizzlies Football game or a Helena Brewers game and an ice cold beer.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Chic Rotering; children, Nick Rotering of Portland, OR and Melena (Tom) Randall of Missoula, MT; sister, Diane (Jim) Kilbourne of Falls Church, VA; granddaughter, Cecilia Randall of Missoula, MT; and niece and nephew, Jae and Sarah Kilbourne of Falls Church, VA. Nick is preceded in death by his parents, Nick and Dorothy Rotering.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at Noon on Wednesday March 7, 2012 at the Cathedral of Saint Helena with a luncheon reception to follow at the Moose Lodge #639, 4750 North Montana Ave. Helena, MT. A graveside service will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8th at Holy Cross Cemetery in Butte. The Rotering Family asks those who are attending Nick’s service to where the Griz colors in honor of his love for the game. Memorials are suggested to the Moose Lodge, #639, 4750 N. Montana Ave., Helena, MT 59601 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting: www.stjude.org . Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
Al and Judy Miller says
Chic and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Nick’s passing. Susan notified us.
Wish we could be there for you and the family, but Yuma is a long way off.
We will sure miss the talks with Nick as he passed by our house each day.
He was a very nice person.
Our deepest Sympathies and Prayers go out to you and the family.
Barbara (Tresidder) Searle says
Chickie,Nick and Melena,
I was so sorry to hear of Nick’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all
of you. Please know had special you are in my life. My heart goes out to all
of. I will be with you in thought today.
Love,
Barb
Bob and Bev Moore says
Chic and family,very sorry to hear of Nick’s passing. Keep the good times close to your heart and friendships to help you through this time in your life.
Chuck and Rhody Vaughn says
Chic we are so sorry for your loss.
flossie says
Chic and family:
Nick was a gentle and great man and will be terribly missed by all that had the wonderful oppurtunity to have crossed his path.
Keep all those memories made close to your heart and that is where you will find Nick.
My thoughts are with you.
Flossie
Gayle Trafford Ashabraner says
Diane and family,
I am so sorry about your brother’s death. I am sure that you will carry happy memories in your heart that will help bring smiles in the months and years to come.
Gayle Trafford
Jane (Hannifan) Joos says
Dear Diane and family,
Am so sorry to hear the news of the loss of your brother, Nick. I remember him as a very thoughtful “big brother” making no faces or asides as he made rapid exit from your house as goofy teenage girls poured in. Prayers and thoughts on your behalf, that you find much comfort in knowing the happiness of Nick’s reunion with your mother and father. Fondly and with sympathy, Dood
Joseph D. Harrington says
Family of Nick Rotering: I came to know Nick while we were both members of the Crossroads Fittness Center. I suppose it was because we both were from Butte. I wore a tee shirt from Georgetown U. Nick stopped to tell me his father had attended Georgetown U. for law school. I fould Nick to be a very friendly gentleman and I came to look forward to seeing him at the center when he would come to do his walk about with the weights in his hands. My sympathy and prayers are with his family at this time. I will miss Nick Nick seemed to think that we might be related somehow through the Harrington side, but we never got the opportunity to work out the details of that. I am keeping Nick and family in my prayers and will offer Mass for him here on the campus of Carroll College where I am in residence. Eternal rest grant unto Nick, O Lord, may he rest in peace with all the saints of Heaven. Sincerely, Msgr. Joseph D. Harrington.
Kim D'Arcy says
Dearest Chick, Melena & Nicky – Received a call from home to tell me of your loss. The many years that all of you embraced my family and myself for the holidays will be memories I cherish forever. My heart and prayers are with you. Love Kim xoxoxo
Kitty Brilliant says
Dear Chic – I was so shocked to hear about Nick’s death. What a nice fellow and classmate! I am so glad that you both came over last summer. It was wonderful to see Nick having such a good time with old chums. Our prayers are for you and your family. Kitty Cowan Brilliant, Central 1961
Linda Cooney Whindom says
Carole and Diane
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time. God bless all the family.
Linda Cooney Whindom
Mark Mizner-Welch says
I worked with Nick for years during my tenure as a Probation and Parole Office for Department of Corrections in Helena, and found him to be a delightful and thoughtful practitioner of the law. Although he often “drove us nuts” with legal opinions and interpretations (usually when he was telling us we couldn’t do what we already wanted to do) he was always most willing to offer practical insights and advice in a manner that belied the seriousness of the work at hand. Nick had a wonderfully dry sense of humor which served him well in the daily grind of government administrative and legal work. I have many fond memories of our time together. May you all be comforted by your lasting memories of time with him as well.
MaryAnn Ranger says
Chic, so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. MaryAnn
Matt & Mary Kunnary says
To Chic and family – Matt & I wanted to say how sorry we are of your loss. Nick was a very nice, kind man. He will be missed. God’s blessings be with you and your family.
Matt & Mary Kunnary
Mick & Suzanne Babcock says
Chic we were so sorry to hear of Nicks passing. He truly was a gentle soul who had such a reserved manner, but warm and hearty laugh. May the thoughts and prayers of family and friends and your happy memories bring you comfort.
Rhonda Strainer says
Dear Rotoring Family,
So sorry for your loss. I worked with Nick at DOT for 15 years and he was a kind thoughtful person. You will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.
Rhonda
Rich Munger says
Bette and my sincere condolences to the Rotering family. Nick was my program counsel for many years at MDOT. He was anexcellent advisor and good friend.
Ron & Barb Mortimore says
Chic
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Family.
Shirley Bentzen Reese says
Chic, Nicky & Melena:
I am sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed Nick. I hope all your good memories will sustain you at this difficult time.
Shirley
VONNIE JENKINS says
My sincere condolences to the Rotering family. I had the opportunity to work with Nick at MDT. He was always a jolly person and so friendly. He will be greatly missed.