On July 16, 2016, we lost Nicki Ward, 38, in an auto accident.

Nicki was born Jan. 24, 1978, to Farley and Jeanni Pound Ward in Richlands, Virginia.

Nicki was preceded in death by her dad Farley, paternal grandparents Sidney and Edna Smith Ward, her uncle, Garman Ward, and maternal grandparents Gene and Delores Fontaine Pound.

Nicki was born and attended school in Grundy, Virginia, graduating in 1996, and shortly after moved to Montana with her family.

Nicki met and later married Christopher Gendreau, and together they had three beautiful children, Kassandra “Kassi,” Farley and Rylee. Nicki attended Flathead Valley Community College and Crevier’s Academy, graduating from Crevier’s in 2014. She was currently working at Sport Clips in Kalispell, where she loved her customers and co-workers. She had many stories that she would tell.

Nicki recently met someone who made her very happy. Nicki loved camping and fishing, as long as someone else would put the worm on the hook. She enjoyed going to the lake with family and friends. Nicki also enjoyed bowling. Nicki had a larger than life personality — you could always hear her laughing before she entered a room. She will be missed by many.

Nicki is survived by her children, Kassi, Farley and Rylee; her mom, Jeanni Ward; brother Chris Ward; and her sister and best friend Kyla Sexton (Steven); aunts, Josephine and Bonnie Lou Ward, uncle, Ted (Betty) Ward, aunt, Doris Ward, all of Grundy; aunt, Louise Keller and Lonnie Keller of Kalispell; aunt, Rusty (Jerry) Gibbs of Missoula; uncle, Mike (Lynette) Pound of Somers; uncle, Jimmy Pound; in-laws Larry and Susan Gendreau and family; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She also leaves behind her beloved dog Jasmine “Pig.”

In lieu of flowers, there is a memorial fund set up for her children at Valley Bank under the name of “We love Nicki.”

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) on Whitefish Stage, with luncheon to follow.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the Ward family.