Rita Nichols
April 21, 1923 - April 16, 2020
Obituary
Rita Nichols. 96, passed away April 16, 2020 in Bozeman, Montana of natural causes. She was born April 21, 1923 in Slinger, Wisconsin, to Francis (Frank) and Frances Kachelmeier. She was the second youngest of 10 siblings. Music was her life. At a young age, she traveled by train from her home in Slinger, where her family operated a bakery shop, to Milwaukee to take voice and music lessons. Rita graduated with of Bachelor of Arts in music from Milwaukee State Teachers College (now University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee). She ventured out West in the early 1950s to teach music at the St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana. While teaching in eastern Montana she met Louis Robert Nichols. They were wed in 1952 in Billings, Montana, where they eventually settled to raise a family. Rita continued her passion for music in Billings, directing choir, singing, and playing organ and piano for more than 50 years at the Little Flower Catholic Church. Her talents were not lost on her children, who all learned to play some musical instrument and sing. Rita led an active life. She belonged to the Billings bowling leagues, golfed into her 90s, and took daily walks along the Yellowstone River near her home. She loved playing cards, reading, watercolor painting and carrying on her family tradition of fantastic baking. She sang with a Billings hospice group, sharing her beautiful soprano voice. Rita's backyard Fourth of July celebrations were a tradition the extended family looked forward to every year. Rita remained in her home in Billings until 2019, when she moved to an assisted living facility in Bozeman. Her kind, gentle and cheerful soul will be missed by all who loved her. She is survived by six children: James Nichols of Santa Clarita, CA; Clare (Randy) Marley of Sandpoint, ID; Theresa (Jerry) Schuster of Bozeman, MT; Robert Nichols of Billings, MT; Ray Nichols of Phoenix, AZ; and John Nichols (Sandy) of Escondido, CA; nine grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Louis, daughter Louise, and her parents Frank and Frances, brothers and sisters Julia, Marie, Joey, Sister Anne; Sister Limana, Sister Jo Marie, Vera, Al, and Laddie. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Billings. A celebration of life is planned for later.
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Memories
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Rachel Schuster-Clutter
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I am so saddened by the loss of Grandma Rita. I have so many countless memories with grandma. A couple my favorite are when grandma would sit at the piano and play for us while I was growing up. That was always what I looked forward to when we visited. Grandma played with such ease and poise. I still remember a simple song she taught me on the piano. Another great memory is always seeing what she would paint. One year for my birthday I asked for a picture with clowns. Yes, I don’t know what my fascination was with clowns. Grandma surprised me with one of the most beautiful pictures of two happy clowns. I love my picture of clowns. I still have 20+ years later. Grandma was always ready to go. I have many countless memories shopping with grandma. And our family meals in her small house with so much laughter and love. Grandma always had a smile on her face and was always willing to give a hug. Another memory is when grandma came to the c’mon inn while we were staying there for my little sister Maria’s wedding. She sat and made paper air planes with my son, Tristn. Those two had the best time. My last thought or memory of Grandma is she never forgot my birthday. Grandma always had a card in the mail to me. And she always remembered to call me. Shocking me every year she remembered my birthday. I am so grateful for the 37 years I got to spend with grandma granted it may not have been as much in my later years. 2 years ago I am so glad I took the time to go take grandma to lunch with my husband and son. We had an amazing morning spent with grandma. She told us stories of the bakery and teaching. Thank you grandma for excepting me as a grandchild since day one when I was 4 years old. you never made me feel left out and there was no “step” grandchildren when it came to us. I love you grandma and will miss you. Keep playing music and signing. I can only imagine the pictures you can paint now. Thank you for being the best grandma a girl could ask for. Rest In Peace until we meet again. Love and hugs to the rest of the family. My deepest condolences. Love Rachel Schuster-Clutter and family
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Dale Haider
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My deepest condolences on the loss of your dear mother and grandmother. How blessed you have been to have had her so long in your lives. I have fond memories of your mom during our school days so many years ago. God Bless!
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Anna (Krank) Huck
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Rita was such a beautiful, kind, caring and full of life person! Growing up on Buena Vista Avenue was always beautiful memories with her visits, and musical talent. We had the honor of also having her play many songs at our wedding back in 1987! Nichols Family, We are so very sorry for your loss, she was truly a wonderful person . Hugs and Prayers to all of you. Scott & Anna (Krank) Huck.
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Colleen Bradley
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My Aunt Rita was a kind, gentle and always cheerful soul. I remember her laughing with ease and frequency. A devote, practicing Catholic, her contributions to Little Flower parish and her community were generous and steadfast. I remember her singing and playing piano, throwing back her head to laugh and, how much she loved music. I will miss her.
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Maria Munro-Schuster
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Grandma Rita had a child-like spirit. When we arrived at Gram’s, under the impressive rims of Billings, we knew that she’d be ready to go the moment we opened our car doors. Movies, mall, golf, dinner…she was in. When I was ten and she seventy-two, she joined me on the Tilt-A-Whirl at the fair, only to have the carny spin us longer than anyone else. At mini-golf, Gram focused each putt with the eyes of a fighter pilot. She took her play seriously and didn’t like to lose. At Olive Garden, she was so into her endless salad and bread sticks, and of course, dessert, that she walked out one night with her cloth napkin flapping from her waistband. She’d play games until late into the night, except for that one Michael introduced her to that took hours to set up one Christmas—“not that again!” she’d said. While playing Guesstures, an acting game, she famously misread a card that said “huge” thinking it said “hug” and went over and embraced a slightly offended family member. For the six years I lived in Billings during college, we spent every Sunday together canvasing the town for fun. We’d discuss a single painting at the art museum for 30 minutes, or practice the new dance steps I’d learned. She was always doing tai-chi when I arrived, and it was hard not to giggle at the intensity of her focus as she’d hop around like a ninja. When she moved to Bozeman this past year, I got a chance to see a side of Grandma that was even more full of childlike delight. While she struggled with English in her last few months, her German rolled off her tongue “ya, ich kana”—“yes I can” she’d say, determined to fight her aging. Or in her lighter moments, “das ist dum”—“that is dumb.” You could count on the woman to be honest. When I commented to Michael over Christmas that Grandma couldn’t remember the words to songs, but she’d “la la la” along, she could suddenly hear. “Yeah, what about it?” she said sassily. Even when she could no longer paint, we’d ponder the colors of rocks or jewelry. Rita wasn't your typical Grandma; she didn’t love baking or babysitting, but she loved the people in her life, she loved laughter and song and the color in the world. And she was like a bright red poppy dancing in the wind.
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Steven Kachelmeier
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Aunt Rita played the organ at our wedding in Santa Fe, NM back on April 7, 1984. She did it as a family favor, the memory of which we will always treasure. She also came to Los Alamos to share her remembrances upon the passing of my dad and Rita's brother, Ladislaus (Laddie) Kachelmeier, who passed away on February 8, 1990. Paula and I had one opportunity to visit Rita and family on our way back from Glacier National Park one summer with our three daughters. I remember taking her favorite walk with her down to the Yellowstone River. Such a wonderful, compassionate person. Steven and Paula Kachelmeier Austin, Texas