Minnie Nyman

At the age of 108, Wilhemina “Minnie” Mary (Kolar) Nyman passed away April 8, 2017. A funeral liturgy will be held Tuesday, April 11, at 10:00 a.m. at O'Connor Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. She was born May 13, 1908 in Pisek, North Dakota to Albert L. and Rose Pavek Kolar. The Kolar family moved by train to central Montana when Minnie was around 4 years old. Upon arriving, the family moved into a one room house and her parents began a farm/ranch and opened a general store in the community of Dover, which is located north of Stanford, MT. From Dover the family relocated to a ranch at the base of Wolf Butte, south of Geyser, MT. Minnie spoke of this mountain home as "a place to enjoy life." She climbed mountains and tended the garden. During haying season Minnie helped by driving horse powered dump and buck rakes. She cared for turkeys and at one point milked 14 cows. The Kolar family was musically talented and Minnie played the drums for their first family orchestra, “The Blues Chasers.” They played in all the surrounding community halls. Here in the mountains is where Minnie met Joseph Nyman. Both were aged 24 but they did not marry till they were 29. The two eventually settled in Geyser and went on to raise 8 children, Joe Nyman (Sheri) of Richland, WA, Jerry Nyman of Geyser, MT, Elaine Nyman of Great Falls, MT, Jim Nyman (Vanetta) of Clancy, MT, Eloise Nyman (Bill Wheeler) of Birch Bay, WA, Evelyn Nyman-Nicely (Jesse) of Walla Walla, WA, John Nyman (Mary) of Butte, MT, and Esther Cloutier (Dana) of Great Falls, MT who survive her. After retiring, Joe and his sons built a house for Minnie in the Highwood Mountains where she continued to reside after Joe's death. Minnie was clear of mind through all her years. She told stories and settled arguments. On her daily walks she picked flowers and berries. She read books and she crafted. All family and friends have wreaths, beaded necklaces and cornucopias. Traveling with her children was a joy. When asked what she thought was most amazing in her long life, she replied "seeing men landing on the moon!" Her sixteen grandchildren will remember dollars received in a birthday card and her gooseberry pie. Minnie is survived by her sister, Florence (Kolar) Leet of Cascade, MT; and her family also includes sixteen great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Minnie leaves a legacy to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in her enthusiasm for the outdoors, her passion to create, her spirit of adventure and her love of a good book. She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe; two younger brothers, Edward Kolar and Jerome Kolar; and one grandchild, Elizabeth Nyman Norris. Minnie's family would like to send a heartfelt Thank You! to the skilled caregivers of Park Place Healthcare Center in Great Falls where Minnie lived out her last years, independently, covered in glitter and only using the call light when she needed more coffee! In lieu of flowers and donations, please honor our Mother by taking a long walk or passing on kindness to someone near.