Francis Nile

Visitation: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm in the Chapel of Stevenson and Sons in Forsyth.

Funeral Service: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Stevenson and Sons in Forsyth.

Francis Bruce Nile, age 72, passed away on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at the Rosebud Healthcare Center.

Francis was born on November 8, 1938 in Miles City, Montana to parents Ralph Nile and Opal Smith. He grew up in the Howard Valley just a stone's throw from his lifelong best friend Morris Spannagel. He attended the Howard Valley School until it closed in 1947. He completed school in Forsyth, and graduated from high school there in 1956. In his younger days, he enjoyed sports, hunting, and fishing. After high school, Francis enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at Whidbey Island, Washington, where he served until 1959 as an Aviation Electrician. He married Pauline Lix on September 16, 1961 while attending Eastern Montana College in Billings. After graduating from college, he taught school and coached in Rapelje, Montana for two years, and then moved to Plains, Montana, where he taught and coached for another year. He then returned back home to the farm in 1966. He and Pauline raised three sons, Steve, Dan, and Brett. He spent the vast majority of his life back at home doing what he loved, raising a family and farming. He especially enjoyed springtime when the crops were just coming up and visiting with his many friends through the community. In his later years, he loved watching his grandchildren grow up with all their activities. He loved bowling, crossword puzzles, fishing with his boys, and helping Pauline with solitaire. Francis served on the ASCS Board for 19 years, served in the Yellowstone Irrigation District for 4 years, and was on the Rosebud County Planning Board for 10 years.

Francis is survived by his wife, Pauline Nile, of Forsyth; his son, Steven (Kristi) Nile, and their children, Stephanie and Christopher, of Forsyth; his son, Dan (Heather) Nile, and their children, Jenna and Bailey, of Missoula; his son, Brett (Angela) Nile, and their children, McKinley and Molly, of San Angelo, Texas; and his sister, Bonnie (Franklin) Steiger of Hysham, Montana.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ray Nile.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth, Montana. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth, Montana. A reception will follow the funeral services in the reception room at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. A private family burial will follow at a later date. If one wishes, memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home have been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com .