Clarence Nickolas Nilles Jr. Obituary (1938

Clarence Nickolas Nilles, Jr., Bismarck, North Dakota, 74, died peacefully, Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at Sanford Health, after a courageous battle with cancer. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, September 24, 2012, at St. Pius Catholic Church, New Salem, with Fr. Selva Peeriannan officiating. Burial will be in the Almont Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for 3-5:00 PM, with a Vigil/Rosary Service beginning at 5:00 PM, Sunday, September 23, 2012, at DaWise-Perry Funeral Services, Mandan. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church. Clarence, "Junior" was born August 7, 1938, to Clarence and Regina (Timpe) Nilles, north of Almont, North Dakota. He grew up in the Almont area and worked with his dad and uncle in the Timpe \u0026 Nilles Coal Co. He was drafted to the US Army in 1956, and after being stationed in Arkansas, Missouri, Washington, and Japan, he spent 19 months and 15 days in Korea. Returning from overseas, he finished his duty in Staten Island, New York. He married Norrine Bender in August, 1958, and together they had five children. Along with working for his family, Junior also worked for Ansley Dairy Company and Rolfson Construction for many years, and then became a counselor at the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center in Mandan, until his retirement in 1999. Clarence always had a smile for anyone he encountered and a quick wit that was contagious. He loved learning about history and the vast amount of knowledge he imparted on his family about their heritage in his last months will be remembered and cherished. In his travels, he was drawn to any historical marker, little known museum, or piece of US heritage, that he could learn about. One of the highlights of his retirement years was a trip to Alaska with his oldest grandson, Trevor. In recent years, he also loved his new home with Pat in Mesa, Arizona. Clarence is survived by his children, Shannon (Jim) Larson, Mitch (Kathy) Nilles, Judy Muth, Jim Nilles, and Mike (Kathy) Nilles, all of Bismarck, along with his 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother Darrel (Marion) Nilles, three nieces and one nephew; and his special friend Patricia Schmidt and her family, all of Bismarck. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Regina, and an infant sibling. Memorials are preferred to the Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation, or the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center Student Fund.