Nick Golder died peacefully on June 17, 2022 at his beloved ranch in southeastern Montana after a long illness. He was born in Lysite, Wyoming on April 4, 1934, the youngest of three children of LaVisa and Jack Golder. He was preceded in death by his siblings Joyce Litton and Don Golder. He married Fay VonKrosigk in 1958. They ranched in Wyoming until Nick returned in 1972 to his family ranch on Rosebud Creek between Lame Deer and Colstrip, Montana.
Nick trained horses, punched cows and savored the land all of his life. He loved training alpine troops and representing the United States cross-country skiing around Europe while in the Army. Added to his love of ranching, he helped found the Northern Plains Resource Council in the 1970s and was proud to be a conservationist rancher. Together with specialists from Montana State University, in the 1980’s Nick pioneered a new method of land reclamation on the Colstrip stripmines that has become the standard today. Active for decades in the organization, Northern Plains organizes Montana citizens to protect the state’s ecosystem, water quality, family farms and ranches, and unique quality of life.
Nick is survived by his three children, Hugh Miller (Jan), Maury Golder-Dobbie (Steve) and Von Golder (Sue), as well as his former wife, Fay Golder. He was proud of his seven grandchildren, Adam Golder , Daniel Golder (Jillian), Sarah Springer (Will), Ryan Miller (Jessica), Erin Miller-Clark (Chuck), Jarah Grashorn (Mat), and Jesse Komrs (Kate). They are raising 14 great grandchildren he was thrilled about, along with a 15th on the way!
A celebration of life will be held at Life’s Journey Church in Colstrip on Friday, June 24th, 2022 at 5:30pm with a meal following. The family requests that no flowers be sent, however if anyone would like to honor Nick with a gift, two options are: 1) Find a way to “pay it forward” for another individual or family in need in partnership with Nick’s heart, or 2) Rosebud County Cattlewomen is a fantastic non-profit that faithfully works to helps needs of ranchers in cases of natural disaster, helping provide such things as hay after fires, emergency fencing, food, etc.. Donations can be made to Rosebud Cattlewomen; P.O. Box 265; Forsyth, MT 59327
Nick often talked about his faith in God and was active in his community and church. Nick joked he wanted to “die with my boots on so I don’t stub my toe when I kick the bucket.” and laughed about whether he’d get bucked off in heaven. Whether or not he’s topping off a few broncs in heaven now, the mountains and sunsets he’s viewing make the mountains he loved here seem like mole hills!
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
5:30 PM
Friday June 24, 2022
Life’s Journey Church
Colstrip, Montana 59323
Luncheon
Supper Following the Celebration of Life
Friday June 24, 2022
Life's Journey Church
Colstrip, Montana 59323
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Lacey Glenn says
I will always remember how kind he was. I’ve known him since I can remember. My grandparents went to the same church as him. So we spent a lot of time out at the ranch and he at our house for Bible studies over the years. I’m sure Heaven is happy to have him.
John L. Moore says
Good man. I was honored to know him.
Natalie McCormick Fullmer says
I am so very sorry you lost your poppa, Von. He sounds like someone I wish I would have known. It’s no problem for me to see where you got your sense of humor and common sense approach to life from! I pray for the Holy Spirit to settle over the Golder Ranch and grant all of you peace, tolerance, and healing for the days that lie ahead. May you look up to that blue Montana sky and feel your father’s smile!
Stacy Bearcomesout says
I have so many Fond memories of my spiritual grandfather, he taught me a lot about Jesus and practical life issues. I grew to live this man of God as he poured wisdom into my life ever so patient with the transformation that Jesus was doing in my life. He supported my vision of TheTaneisha House through prayer and faith, he was a board member from its birth and offered sound advice. Nick was consistent in his walk with Jesus and He loved our tribe without a doubt he prayed for the Northern Cheyenne people for decades and never quit believing that Jesus could save our people, he shared how he prayed that Jimtown would eventually become a house a prayer in lieu of a bar. One great quote that sticks with me forever and of which I just reminded him about a month ago is that he taught me “ It doesn’t matter if you are 99% right and that other person is 1% right Jesus isn’t concerned about that 99% he is concerned about that 1%. Am I going to miss Nick? Absolutely but I am rejoicing of the good fight of faith he persevered in for Jesus. Like the day he made it back to MOntana he was on the news as missing…lol Nick called me he said “I escaped’. He loved being in the great wide open and could not adjust to the city. His faith in Jesus was without limits he trusted Him to heal of all sickness as often shared about being healed from Cancer more than once he wouldn’t accept the medical diagnosis in his life over what the word of God said. I can totally relate Nick . I am so grateful to have met you and been blessed by you in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fly high with those wings Nick you deserve that brand new body as sit upon the heavenly horses in the presence of the great I am…can’t say enough about your goodness and wisdom in things that matter in life…JESUS
Richard and Faye Skelton says
So sorry to hear the loss of Nick Golder.
After moving to Montana Forsyth Montana my wife and I Faye Skelton Moulder were introduced to Nick Golder at a church meeting in Colstrip Montana Nick invited us to work for him on his ranch near lLame Deer.
We work for him on his ranch starting in November 1977 for the next eight months we got to know Von Golder his son we have great memories of Nick Golder he was a God-fearing man interesting to talk to.
We are proud to have known him and no he is resting in the arms of God our thoughts and prayers go out to the family we are proud to call Nick Golder our friend. We will see you in heaven friend save a place for the campfire for us.
Cindy Doerge says
I remember growing up on the Golder ranch. I remember throwing Cheetos on the ground when it was branding time on the ranch. Returning back to the ranch at 15 Nick told my mom and grandma that women are to fix dinner while we went riding horses in the coral I remember Nick jumping on the horse to teach me again how to cowboy ride. I remember Nick telling my dad that I would be a great barrel racer. I saw Nick at Billings hardware where I use to work and he looked at me and said oh the apple of his eye. I remember how walking into the ranch house and the smell of the ranch house I will never forget. It was like being home away from home. Nick would give you the shirt off his back that was how he was. Nick will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him. I will cherish the memories for ever.
Faye Moulder Skelton says
Such a good, Godly man. Never forget the first time we met Nick and his Von. Then my husband working for them. I came out and started helping out. I rode around with Nick helping him feed the cattle, he was glad to have a driver around to drive while he threw the hay for the cattle. I enjoyed the cowboys, Roy, and his brother Clearance who lived there. The stories they would tell me about Don, Joyce and Nick were priceless. Even after we left the Ranch, we would come back to help any way we could. Branding, making sure the cows and calves were fine, I would muck out the barn as a favor to ride his dad’s horse Browny who I rode most days while there. Our children thought of him as a second grandpa and lived him very much. Even though we moved back to Missouri our hearts have always been with all our dear friends in Montana. Freda and Kirby Kluver and their children, we have known too since attending church together. To Von, Sue, and the rest of the family, we mourn with you, plus rejoice. Wish we could be there with you, but know we are praying for you all. Just so thankful for the testimony this man left. My dad being the pastor, enjoyed visiting with everyone. My folks always enjoyed the fellowship they had with all the people around the area. What a church meeting they are having in Heaven!!! Soon we will be there too.
Judy Hayworth says
I have good memories of meeting at Nick’s home on Sunday evenings in the 70s. Nick was a kind and Godly man. Voya con Dios, Nick.
Charter Stinespring says
I want to express my condolences to all of Nick’s family and friends. As you know, Nick was one of a kind. I will always be thankful for the time I was able to spend with him on the ranch over the past 17 years. For three or four days – usually in the first week of August – I could be found helping Nick fix some piece of equipment that had broken down. Nick was always amazed that an academic could do anything practical or useful, so I had a leg up on him there, but that was the only place!!! All kidding aside, I am most thankful for our times discussing our mutual love for Christ and for Nick’s spiritual mentorship over the years. I will always treasure those times on the ranch. I love you my friend and I’ll really miss you, but we will meet again.
Clenora cogdill Quinan says
Many fond memories, roundups with Nick and Don camping out with them. they taught me how to build breakfast in a small hole in the dirt in which to build the fire. Nick has always lighted the way for me, telling me to get my bible off the back burner and move it to the front burner. Always asking and concerned and praying or my family.
So many happy times, and bought a heifer bucket calf from him in 2008 Isabell we enjoyed her for 10 yrs always with a bull calf at her side. So many lives he lifted up in his time here on earth. Have a great ride over the divide my friend.
Andrita Harris says
Deepest Sympathy & Condolences to the Golder Family. Good memories of Nick, great man. You will be missed by all. Loved visiting him, good stories.
When the Baby Dean Fire hit Muddy Creek, Nick helped save my brothers place, he brought his tractor up to help with the fire.
My Dad Lee and I always bought Hay from Nick , would stay to visit for few hours. Nick was a man of GOD
RIP Cowboy GOD BLESS. Prayers to the Golder Family. I know Heaven gained another Cowboy Angel joining my Dad, Jim D, Richard R, John B, Buell R. and Jerry S.
Andrita Harris
Muddy Creek
Mary Dillon says
Our home was at Jimtown for nearly 30 years. During that time we were quite well acquainted with Nick.. He was a good neighbor and we always enjoyed visiting. It won’t ever be the same there without him He certainly was a good man. My sincere sympathy to his family. You will be in my prayers. Mary Dillon
Linwood Hisbadhorse says
Broke a couple of horses for Nick, and helped with cows, good spiritual teacher. Nick
Helped alot of people out thru prayer.
Kept horses there a few times when I passed thru for races, used his place for youth riding.
Prayer groups. Alot of good memories
Rick Johnson says
RIP Nick, thanks for hosting all the fall hunting at your home on the ranch. Condolences to all the family. My memories are good and many of time spent in Nicks company. One early spring we met Nick and some other folks on the Boulder River and made camp. You could see the joy in his face being in the mountains at camp. He used my axe to split some firewood and in his way he made a point of saying that he thought even though the axe didn’t have a wooden handle…it was a pretty good tool. Nick was always soft spoken and made his point that way. We will all miss Nick and that old cowboy way of his.