John Jack Nitschke

Family to receive friends: Monday, October 15, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Interment: Custer County Cemetery with full military honors provided by VFW Post #1579.

John Earl Nitschke August 6th 1927 - October 12th 2007

"Jack" as he was known by his many friends, or "Ralphie" as he was called by his 4 children, passed away at Holy Rosary Medical Center Friday, October 12th after a short illness. In customary fashion he put up a valiant struggle, but the end came peacefully as he was surrounded by his family.

Born August 6, 1927 inIsmay, MT, the son of Albert G. and Gladys (Lombard) Nitschke, he was the youngest of 5 siblings. He attended school in Ismay, graduating from high school after excelling in sports, in particular as a basketball player. He enlisted in the Army in October of 1945, not in time to see any combat action but was stationed with the occupation forces in Germany. In March, 1947 he was discharged from the Army to return to his family home and later worked on a ranch at Ismay, attended Custer County Junior College for a couple of quarters, and then on a construction crew building the new part of the Holy Rosary Hospital.

One day he received a call from the post office to come to work as a part time window clerk to help with the Christmas rush. What began as a temporary job became permanent, much to his liking as a young newlywed and parent. By 1962 he had been promoted to superintendent of mails and in 1967 was made assistant postmaster. In April, 1981 he was appointed postmaster, a position from which he retired in 1988. Throughout his 39 year career with the Postal Service he accumulated numerous meritorious service awards and never claimed a single day of sick leave. For his efforts, he received and enjoyed the loyalty and support of all he supervised.

In September, 1948 he was married to Susan May Clark of Buffalo, SD, a marriage that was to last for 59 years. All but the last year was spent in residence at 1005 South Jordan. Jack and Susan spent their retirement years enjoying their home, occasional visits from the kids and grandkids, and especially enjoying the Montana winter months from a distance in Yuma, AZ. While retirement from the job was not such a difficult decision, it was much more difficult for him to retire from tending to his manicured lawn and move to the Eagles Manor in October, 2006.

Jack coped with life's challenges with his wit and wry sense of humor. On occasion he would quip that he graduated as salutatorian of his high school, which had a graduating class of two. Even in difficult times, there was a funny twist which is carried on throughout the Nitschke family. Like many of his generation he would show a gruff exterior, but his family meant everything to him.

Jack was a long time member of the Eagles, Elks and VFW. He was also a member of the Good Sam Club, the Presbyterian church and the American Legion.

Jack is survived by his wife, Susan Nitschke of Miles City, his children: Barbara (James) Bender of Miles City; Michael (Drena)Nitschke of Amarillo, TX; Deborah (Robert)Zignego of Miles City; and Patricia (Dave) Filler of Tacoma, WA; 7 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Richard and Robert, and two sisters: Bette Henderson and Joyce Lorenzen.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Hospice, 2600 Wilson, Miles City, MT 59301.