Catherine Nicklaus

Catherine (Luce) Nicklaus, 61 was called home to be with the loving Lord, our God and Savior on February 9th, 2020.  She passed in the presence of her loving and caring husband Donald Nicklaus and precious son Lucas at home. 
Catherine was born February 19th, 1958 to Lewie and Ann Luce in Kalispell.  Catherine’s passion and excitement for living life was apparent from the beginning.  She was raised in Columbia Falls, MT alongside 4 siblings.  She spent her formative years going to school and helping at home, working the garden, caring for her mother, father, brothers and sisters.  Her family was everything.  Loving others was her life’s purpose.
Catherine and Donald Nicklaus met in Whitefish,MT and their beautiful love story began.  They were soon married May 27th,1978 in Columbia Falls, MT where they broke ground to build a home and life together, the years being irrelevant when a love lasts forever.  Many times Donald would introduce Catherine as his “Life” which seemed more magnificent than the word wife!  Donald and Catherine would soon be blessed with a lovely son, Lucas John and together they continued to build their lives as one.  Catherine loved her family, she poured all of her energy into loving Don and Luke, and always had plenty left over for everyone in her life. She in turn was loved by Donald on a level in which could only be measured by counting the  I Love You’s under every grain of sand on earth.
Her love and energy was boundless!  In addition to her family, she cared for her mother and father, sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews, in-laws and friends all while taking care of herself doing what she loved to do.  She was feisty, determined, and confident!  Gardening and quilting were her specialties.   She would find respite from her life’s work with her loving family near the waters and campfires in the Flathead Valley.  Many special memories were made and shared on Echo Lake, Lion Lake, and Hungry Horse Reservoir to name a few.                 
Catherine joined the faculty at Columbia Falls School District 6, October 31st, 1994, where she touched many lives in the Special Needs programs.  Providing unending love and encouragement to those who often needed it the most both her co-workers and students.  She will always be remembered for her morals and principles!  Those she surrounded herself with  touched her life and added to her purpose here on earth.  

Catherine was passionate about loving and serving her husband and son, her family and friends.  She was not bashful about giving anyone a hug whether they knew they wanted or needed one.  Catherine’s passion for living and love on this earth will be forever missed by every life she touched.   Catherine’s spirit is now eternally free with the Lord forever!

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, Lewie and Ann Luce, mother and father-in-laws, Raymond and Janette Nicklaus, and several extended family members.
Catherine is survived by her Husband and true love Donald Nicklaus, her son, Lucas Nicklaus, both of Columbia Falls.  Her brothers and sisters, Leila Ann King of Chester, MT, Ronald Luce of Columbia Falls, MT, Julia Schooler of North Dakota, Lewie Luce Jr.(Debbie) of Columbia Falls MT, as well many brother and sister in-laws, Joan(Robin) McElrath of Whitefish, MT, Cheryl(Carl) Nelson of Columbia Falls, MT, Betty(Don) Wilhelm of Kalispell, MT, Karen(Leonard) Wilke, of Valier, MT, Randy Nicklaus of Kalispell, and many precious nieces, nephews, cousins and all their extended families.     
    
Funeral Services will be held at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls, MT Wednesday February 19th, 2020 (this would have been her 62nd birthday) at 11:00 A.M. A visitation will start one hour prior to services at 10am. Burial to follow immediately after the service at Woodlawn Cemetery.   The family would like to invite you to bring your favorite dish to share in a celebration of Catherine's beautiful life  at Birch Grove Community Center 549 Birch Grove Rd, Kalispell at 1:00 P.M.  In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Special Education Department School District 6 P.O. Box 1259 Columbia Falls, MT 59912. Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.                    

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