Leo Simon Nigg passed "into the loving arms of Jesus" on Nov. 1, 2013.
Leo was born March 14, 1928, in Conrad to William Frederick and Minerva Kohl Nigg.
Three things were dear to Leo's heart: his family, music and the mountains. Never was one very far away from his thoughts. Farming the soil of eastern Montana gave him his start. His family moved to Oroville, Wash., when he was in grade school, a move Leo didn't like, for his home was always in Montana.
Leo's love of music was fostered by a family of musicians who played together in many venues in both Montana and Washington. He played the banjo, guitar, piano and mandolin. This craft he shared and passed down to those he loved.
He left school early to work and find his place in life. That path eventually drew him to the Flathead Valley where he went to work in construction, alongside his father and brother, on the Hungry Horse Dam. Being so close to the mountains gave Leo an appreciation that only a flatlander could have.
After the dam's completion, he went to work packing for an outfitter in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. His favorite mode of transportation throughout his life was being on the back of a horse. He was a true cowboy.
He met Jessie Jean Wheeler during the winter of 1965, and they married April 1, 1966, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. For Leo it was the beginning of many wonderful years together. Not only did he gain a partner in life who was his rock, he gained an immediate family of nine children, all of whom he loved and accepted as his own. This union gave birth to their son, Ricky Leo, on June 28, 1967.
Leo worked several odd jobs in and around the Flathead but was always drawn back to road construction. He signed up with the Local 400 and worked on many projects throughout Montana, including a year on the Alaskan Pipeline. There wasn't a piece of equipment he could not operate, and it was something he truly loved. He always worked long, hard hours for his family whom he was grateful to come back to.
Leo was a tinkerer and had a natural ability to fix anything, even those which needed no fixing. Whether he took on the role of a mechanic, barber or farrier, Leo was adept to do most anything. He was a kind man with a big heart who touched so many.
Leo had a story for any occasion, and a lesson for all. He was a man who lived his life with no regret or worry. Leo, at the age of 73, along with his wife professed their faith as Christians and together on Nov. 22, 2001, were baptized. Even after suffering so much, his infectious smile radiated out to those around him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Elmer, William and Edward; sisters, Jean and Betty; and son, Carson.
He is survived by his wife, Jessie, of 47 years; and children, Ricky, Daniel, Dawna, Kevin, Lyle, Katie, Carol, Karen and Marilyn; and a compliment of sons- and daughters-in-law. He also leaves behind many precious grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren whom he loved dearly - a love well reciprocated.
"Daddy, Papa, we miss you."
Graveside services will be planned at a later date.
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Leo was born March 14, 1928, in Conrad to William Frederick and Minerva Kohl Nigg.
Three things were dear to Leo's heart: his family, music and the mountains. Never was one very far away from his thoughts. Farming the soil of eastern Montana gave him his start. His family moved to Oroville, Wash., when he was in grade school, a move Leo didn't like, for his home was always in Montana.
Leo's love of music was fostered by a family of musicians who played together in many venues in both Montana and Washington. He played the banjo, guitar, piano and mandolin. This craft he shared and passed down to those he loved.
He left school early to work and find his place in life. That path eventually drew him to the Flathead Valley where he went to work in construction, alongside his father and brother, on the Hungry Horse Dam. Being so close to the mountains gave Leo an appreciation that only a flatlander could have.
After the dam's completion, he went to work packing for an outfitter in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. His favorite mode of transportation throughout his life was being on the back of a horse. He was a true cowboy.
He met Jessie Jean Wheeler during the winter of 1965, and they married April 1, 1966, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. For Leo it was the beginning of many wonderful years together. Not only did he gain a partner in life who was his rock, he gained an immediate family of nine children, all of whom he loved and accepted as his own. This union gave birth to their son, Ricky Leo, on June 28, 1967.
Leo worked several odd jobs in and around the Flathead but was always drawn back to road construction. He signed up with the Local 400 and worked on many projects throughout Montana, including a year on the Alaskan Pipeline. There wasn't a piece of equipment he could not operate, and it was something he truly loved. He always worked long, hard hours for his family whom he was grateful to come back to.
Leo was a tinkerer and had a natural ability to fix anything, even those which needed no fixing. Whether he took on the role of a mechanic, barber or farrier, Leo was adept to do most anything. He was a kind man with a big heart who touched so many.
Leo had a story for any occasion, and a lesson for all. He was a man who lived his life with no regret or worry. Leo, at the age of 73, along with his wife professed their faith as Christians and together on Nov. 22, 2001, were baptized. Even after suffering so much, his infectious smile radiated out to those around him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Elmer, William and Edward; sisters, Jean and Betty; and son, Carson.
He is survived by his wife, Jessie, of 47 years; and children, Ricky, Daniel, Dawna, Kevin, Lyle, Katie, Carol, Karen and Marilyn; and a compliment of sons- and daughters-in-law. He also leaves behind many precious grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren whom he loved dearly - a love well reciprocated.
"Daddy, Papa, we miss you."
Graveside services will be planned at a later date.
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