On the morning of February 3rd, 2017, at the age of 89, Swede saddled up for his last ride at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow, MT, of natural causes. He was surrounded by all his family.
He was born in Glasgow at FMDH on June 20th, 1927. He was the youngest of six kids, born to HJ and Lydia Nickels. Swede attended school in Nashua through the 9th grade. He was unable to finish school as his father needed his help on the ranch due to the war. Despite not finishing school, he was very well read and was very interested in law.
He started taking flying lessons and received his pilot’s license at the age of 17. He would run wild horses and fly mail and supplies to neighbors stranded during hard winters. He also spent many hours flying search and rescue looking for missing or lost people. He was very proud of his flying ability. He flew countless hours and did not have any mishaps.
During the war, he spent many weeks running wild horses, cutting stud horses and branding colts and cattle for his neighbors away at war. He was an amazing roper and passed on his talents to his sons and grandsons. Swede entered the army on January 12th, 1951 and received an honorable discharge on August 18th, 1951.
He married the love of his life, Mildred Maurseth on January 3rd, 1952 in Glasgow. They were married for 65 years. They spent their life on a ranch Southeast of Nashua. The ranch became the second largest commercial Hereford ranch in the state of Montana. There were 26 steers that went to the Denver Stock Show for the “Catch-a-Calf” program in January 2004. He was the Montana Commercial Hereford Breeder of the Year in 2006. When he was not working, his hobbies were working, working and working some more. He enjoyed following his kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all their events.
Swede was preceded in death by his mother and father, one brother, 3 sisters and 2 grandsons (TJ and Zachary Nickels).
He is survived by his wife, Mildred, 2 sons, Lester (Jaylein), Steve (Sharon). 3 daughters, Wanda, Cindy (Paul) and Tammy (George). His grandchildren, Jesse, Luke, Krista, Jeremy, Kyle, Chantille and Asa. His Great-grandchildren, Lane, Cordelia, MacKayla, Jace, Isabelle, Ethan, Gabriell, Rebecca, Jaden, Ava and Leslie. And 1 brother, Jack Nickels.
Swede was loved dearly and will be greatly missed by all. His life mantra was, “It is better to wear out then rust out and I plan on never wearing out”.