Paul V. “Pete” Nicholson, 84, passed away Dec. 9, 2012, in Coeur d’Alene.

“Pete” was born Oct. 26, 1928, in Birchtree, Mo., the son of John and Jessie (Hannah) Nicholson.

He grew up in Birchtree and graduated from Birchtree High School in 1946 helping his dad on the family farm in Missouri. He hauled lumber to Missouri and in 1948, went to Arkansas to work on the Rice Elevators, pouring concrete during construction. In 1949 he moved to Chinook, Mont., and worked on the Frank Overcast Farm.

Pete entered the U.S. Army Jan. 4, 1951, and was stationed at Wackernhime, Germany, until his discharge Dec. 29, 1952.

He returned to Montana to work on the farm with his parents. He rented the Monti Egbert place and farmed there until 1959 when he married Darlene Green, Nov. 29, 1958. He started to work for the Montana Highway Department in Harlem, Mont., and lived in Harlem until 1968. Pete moved to Havre, Mont., to continue working for the highway department until he retired May 31, 1989.

He continued to work on his daughter’s farm north of Havre after his retirement until 1991, spending winters in Winterhaven, Calif., and moving to Huntley, Mont., and Billings, Mont., before moving to Coeur d’Alene in 2010.

Survivors include his wife, Darlene; children, Marlene (Sonny) Holburka, James (Kathy) Nicholson and Joyce (Barry) Dexter. His grandchildren are Kara (Alex) Verploegen, Bryla Jones, Kallie Dexter, Max Nicholson and Kyle (Amy) Dexter also survive.

Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at Lake City Community Church.

Memorials may be made to the Lake City Community Food Bank, The Hayden Senior Center or Hospice of North Idaho.

Please visit Pete’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guest book.