Marshall “Craig” Nile lived by one mantra: fill your toolbox with tools.
He died surrounded by family on August 29, 2014 in Great Falls. He was 62.
Nile, of Forsyth, was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. He fought it until he was assured most everything was taken care of on Friday afternoon at Peace Hospice of Montana. His partner Jodie Gould, of Great Falls, and his dog, Bella, were at his side throughout the illness.
Nile was born December 10, 1951 in Miles City after two trips to the hospital that turned out to be false alarms. This habit of taking his time started early.
He was the third son of James and Betty Bourne Nile. When his mother brought him home to his brothers, Jack “Zeke” and James “Num” Nile, they decided Marshall was too big a name for such a small boy. If he couldn’t be called Wyatt Earp, they’d settle for Craig.
Growing up on the family’s Howard Valley farm west of Forsyth, Craig was no stranger to hard work. He also watched out for his younger sister, Eloise, although she was likely his favorite person to tease. In return, she dubbed him “Craigy-leggy chicken bones.”
Craig went to school in Forsyth until his senior year. He graduated from Hysham High in 1971. After training in welding and machining at a technical college in Helena, he found work at a hydraulics company in Billings.
He married Geraldine “Jeri” Rudolph and moved to Forsyth, where they built their first home. Craig found steady work for more than 30 years at the coal mines in Colstrip. He successfully lobbied the Legislature for the coal miners’ labor union. But he had other schemes in mind.
For a number of years, he ran his own welding shop and repair business full time. He most always had side projects, such as his stint manufacturing ditchers for irrigated farms that he had designed. He picked up the tools to become a machinist, a welder, a mechanic, and tried his hand at a number of other trades. He was a man of many projects, though he was usually “plottin’ and plannin’” the next before he finished the one at hand. He most always had time for family and most anyone who needed him.
He raised two daughters Amy Moree Nile, 32, and Arica Leigh Nile, 28. When they were young, he most often fed his daughters supper, sharing his favorites, such as watermelon or chicken pot pies with ketchup. As they grew up, he helped his girls fill their tool boxes with tools. He did the same for their friends. Haly Hert and April Maciag are among a few who count him as a father figure. When he wasn’t working, he loved to dance, particularly with his daughters.
When Arica bought her first house in Great Falls, he went to work on it, teaching her and her fiancé Mikey Brown how to do carpentry, plumbing, wiring and the like. They bought a business and dad was there to teach them how to run it. He well prepared both of his girls for their chosen lines of work and others.
When Amy went on an elementary school crusade to save the Earth, he built her a can-crushing machine. It would take a laundry-basket sized load of aluminum cans and squeeze them into bricks that came down a conveyor belt to be stacked. Craig hauled them to Billings for recycling and brought the girls the paychecks. With this tool, he guided them through the process of starting a recycling business.
Of course, Arica ended up taking over much of the dirty work, earning and saving her paychecks. That became a lifelong habit. Today, Arica runs a lawn care business in Great Falls. She also works out of Havre as a railroad conductor.
Amy turned her interest to writing after her dad put her to work voicing radio spots for their recycling center. She now works as a journalist in the Seattle area.
Craig’s nieces, Jennifer True and Shara Boschee, also pitched in at the recycling business. He was a favorite uncle for them and his niece, Kathy Nile. He also spent time mentoring his nephew, Ethan Sadowsky, and his son-in-law to be.
Craig had a knack for fixing, easily picking up how to conquer most any challenge. Whether it is with duct tape and bailing twine or gutting and rebuilding his second house, he’d have a number of jobs done with many more in the works.
He also liked to fix up toys. In the 1970s, he drove a Chevy van that he fitted with a bed and curtains that were, bright yellow, hot pink, lime green, and day-glo orange. He later turned an aluminum boat into a houseboat that doubled as a camper on dry land.
Craig was resourceful. He was known to do things like drive to the Yellowstone River, take the carburetor out of the truck and put it in the boat, which wouldn’t run otherwise. He’d switch it back for the ride home.
Craig also loved to score a deal. He went “hunting for treasures” at auctions and thrift shops. He took Arica shopping for a wedding dress at a Salvation Army though he wasn’t able to convince her it was the one.
Craig was a guy who’d give a stranger his last Miller Lite.
He once spent the better part of a day helping a young man he did not recognize as a friend of his daughters’. The young man’s car was lost after partying the night before. After several hours, they found it in the woods — with the keys locked inside the trunk. Craig jerry-rigged his way out of that situation, just as he often did.
He also shared his talents at his Miles City Foursquare church, Living Way Fellowship.He traveled on a mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya with a roller bag several years ago. Later, he designed a railing and put it in at the church youth center after a welding shop said the work wasn’t possible.
It was family that came first for him. Afternoons following hot, home-cooked meals were most often spent with family playing the fast-paced card game Nerts.
He was the guy to call in crisis. When misfortune came, he would say some form of “it happens” and think up a fix. It was the figuring it out that brought a sparkle to his boyish blue eyes.
Craig left his mark on his loved ones, with the tools he carried in his toolbox. “You never know when you might need them,” he’d say.
He is survived by his partner, daughters, mother, Betty Moree Nile, 89, of Hysham; sister, Eloise True, of Glendive; brother James and his wife Judy Nile, of Peyton, Colorado; and brother Jack “Zeke” and his wife Bev Nile, of Forsyth. He is preceded in death by his father Jim Nile.
Sometimes life brings difficulties. It’s during these times that men like Craig come through. He was always there but he didn’t have complex things to say when it came to letting you know how he felt. In the end, much like in his life, he would sum up goodbye with a simple, “catch ya later.”
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Craig’s honor to Living Way Youth at 708 Missouri Ave., Miles City, MT 59301; the Howard Community Club at 1584 Old Highway 10, Forsyth, MT 59327; or the charity of their choice.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Jodie Gould for caring for Craig in his final days.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth is assisting the family with these arrangements and condolences may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Monday September 1, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
2:00 pm
Tuesday September 2, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Monday September 1, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
2:00 pm
Tuesday September 2, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, MT 59327
Share
Peggy Redman and Earl Mortensen says
To the Nile Family,
Earl joins me in sending heartfelt condolences to you in the passing of your beloved Craig. May warm memories help soften your sorrow, and may faith help you face each new tomorrow. You are and will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the Forsyth community. May God have his comforting arms completely around at this difficult time.
Amber Embry says
To the Nile family and relatives,
Our condolences to everyone in the loss of Craig. He was a unique and charming man and will be missed! You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Melody Robertson says
Amy, Erica and the rest of Craig’s family,
I am sorry for your loss. He was a great guy. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Melody
Denice & Bill Hedges says
Betty and the rest of Craig’s family, Our thoughts, love and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Keep the good and happy memories in your mind and heart to help carry you through. We’re ‘just down the street’ so don’t hesitate to call if you need anything. Love, Denice & Bill
Linda Zeimet says
Amy, Arica, Zeke and the rest of Craig’s family, we are so very sorry for your loss. May the love and support of your family and friends bring you comfort and strength during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with all. Linda and family.
Lanell Kaup says
To all the Nile family, Craig will be missed by you all but the memories you share will last forever. He was an unique person in his thoughts and deeds. Carroll and I are blessed to have been his neighbor while living in the valley. Our prayers are with all of you.
Elizabeth and Chris Bovee says
Amy and Arica,
Our hearts are with you both. We feel very blessed to have known your Dad.
Grace Larson says
It was with sadness that I heard of Craig’s death . My sympathy goes out to his loved ones . You will see him again in the coming resurrection . That is the Hope mankind has been promised by Jesus . And Craig will need his tool box because there will be a lot of work to do .
Bill Cunningham says
I was als I will be Praying for o saddened to hear of Craig passing and add my condolences to the family. I met Craig while staying with Sam & Mary Kaup in the 60’s. Fond memories of Craig, Kim Kautzman, Ralph Kaup,and I going swimming in the canal, to the DriveInn in Forsyth and many fun times. I saw Craig in Billings a few years ago in Billings at Burn the point car show with his Firebird and we had a nice chat. I will be praying for Craig’s family
Sharon Wetsch says
Arica, Amy, Betty and family,
I was so sorry to hear that Craig passed away. He was truly a unique person. The obituary
covers so much. He had such a cool sense of humor and really would give away his last beer- usually someone was on a beer run tho..! Heaven now has the best fixit man around.
He was so special, to all of you, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs.
rick mcculloch says
i worked with craig for several years, we called him Cnile, the family lost a very good man, and the rest of us lost a good friend.. sorry for the tough times nile family.
Steve Grywusiewicz says
I first met Craig when I moved to Forsyth to help Sue at the hardware store when her husband was dieing from cancer and right after I lost my little sister to it. She, Tina, was only 46. I’d spent years in the big cities managing lumber companies and like Craig always have something different going. I was helping Larry Hein when that fire happened and we lost all our tools. Through the tougher times Craig always had a smile on his face and I’d swear that guy did more work by accident than most people do on purpose. He was truly a workin mans man and I’m gonna miss him. My condolences go out to all who knew and loved him.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Marshall Nile- May you find comfort in your loving memories and in recalling the Craig’s many talents. It was not the Creator’s purpose that mankind suffer (Romans 5:12). God has promised that a time will come when no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 33:24). In the Bible we are promised a resurrection of dear family members and friends that we have lost (John 5:28, 29). I hope you are comforted by Bible promises of a hopeful future (John 17:3).