Nicholas Bown
March 14, 1947 ~ May 4, 2023
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Nicholas “Nick” Charles Bown, 76, of Pierre, passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023, at his home.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor Jeff Adel presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, at the church. Burial will follow in the Lebanon Cemetery.
Nicholas Charles Bown was born in Gettysburg, SD on March 14, 1947, to Walter Sidney and Edna Lorraine (Hord) Bown. He was raised on the family farm in northeast Sully County and attended East Cora Country School. He graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1966.
In 1967, Nick married the love of his life, of 55 years, Crystal Engel in Hampton, IL. Their first son Leslie was born in 1968. Nick received an associate degree in auto mechanics from Southern State College in Springfield, SD in 1970. Their second son Clayton was born in 1972. Nick then received his Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Education from the University of South Dakota in Springfield in 1974.
From 1974-1976 Nick taught auto mechanics at Father Flanigan’s Boys Home in Boys Town, NE. He then went to West Point, NE to teach before returning to South Dakota. At the end of his teaching career, Nick worked as an auto mechanic until he moved on to his life dream of living on the family ranch in 1989. He and Crystal raised livestock until Nick’s health forced him to retire in 2002.
Nick was a life member of the Masonic Lodge #173 in Onida, SD. Among his favorite activities were hunting, Silhouette and Cowboy action Shooting where he was known as Cottonwood Cooter. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, leatherwork, gun-repair, horn smithing, demolition derbies, and gardening. Another interest of Nick’s was racing. After his retirement, he built and raced a dirt track car for several years. He watched all the Nascar races and went to Talladega, AL, Charlotte, NC, Rockingham, NC, and Topeka, KS to watch it live.
Nick left the ranch and moved to Pierre in 2003, where he lived the rest of his journey. He had the willpower to change his life. The big picture was that he wanted to be a better person, that he did by becoming a better husband and father. Nick worked hard to transform himself and learn the skills he needed to be sure they knew he loved them. Most important to him was spending time with his family and friends.
Nick is survived by his wife, Crystal of Pierre; sons: Leslie of Onida, and Clayton (Melinda) of Ft. Pierre; three step-grandchildren: Thomas, Ethan, and Brian Vetsch all of Ft. Pierre; brother, Michael (Diane) of St. Petersburg, FL; sister, Debra Boldin of Dallas, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents: George and Elsie Hord and James and Clara E. Bown.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Nick’s arrangements.
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Hugs to you all! Sorry for your loss.
Much love to Crystal and the boys.
So sorry to hear of Nick's passing. Have good memories from many years ago of hanging together during the GHS days. Didn't have much interaction for many years, but never forgot him. The world is a lesser place without him.
We are thinking of all of you
I am so sorry to hear about Nick. Hugs to all of you.🙏🙏🙏
Crystal, Les, Clay and family, you are in my prayers. Did not recognize the "bearded" Nick! We became good friends when Jim was in the nursing home and Nick had given up farming. They were both saddened and were introduced, becoming fast friends and fishing buddies…although I don't recall them ever catching anything! They enjoyed visiting together for hours at a time. Nick used to scare the daylights out of me when he insisted on loading and unloading Jim's wheelchair on his own. We had many nice visits while we were in Pierre and when I had to move to be near Jim, it was an Earth Angel named Crystal that came to my rescue almost ten years ago. If she had not done so much, I would still be trying to get moved. I know it broke Nick's heart when Jim passed because he was that pure, sincere, and kind friend you are fortunate to find and have once in your lifetime. They are now gabbing and saying they're fishing in Heaven, don't you know? My dear friend Crystal, I hope to see you as soon as I can and in the meantime, I am a call away, day or night. My love to you all.
I first went to a shilloette shoot with Nick and Crystal in 1979 when we worked together. Burned a lot of powder with Nick over the years. RIP Cooter
Crystal and Families, you have my heartfelt sympathy and hugs. Nick was a “one and only” good guy. Take care.
Jan
Nick was one of the finest human beings I’ve ever had the pleasure of getting to really know, and I really know a lot of them. I and the world are better because of him. Heaven definitely gained an angel. Lots of hugs and prayers to Crystal, Les, Clay, and all who love him.
Prayers for peace for Aunt Crystal with Uncle Nick’s passing. I always admired how creative and artistic uncle Nick was. I still have the butterfly denim blanket he helped make for me and our family loves it. I wish I could grow his asparagus, maybe I’ll learn when we meet again.
Rest In Peace.