Conrad 'Smilie' Nelson, 78

Conrad "Smilie" Nelson, 78, passed away at Brendan House on June 6, 2015.

Conrad was born in Cut Bank to Gilbert and Ida (Sheltie) Nelson on May 12, 1937.

He moved to Columbia Falls after high school where he married Alice Branner on October 13, 1970. Conrad and Alice had two children plus Alice's two children from a previous marriage. Conrad was employed at Plum Creek until he retired after 32 years. Conrad also taught little league and was a basketball coach. His hobbies were fishing, hunting, bowling; he also tied flies, played cribbage, and smoking salmon for himself and others.

He is survived by his wife, Alice; stepsons, Tony and Debbie Kelsey of Superior, Ken Kuehl of Medford, Oregon; son Daniel and Tonya Nelson of Kalispell; Kari Maze of Kalispell; sister Shirley Stevens of Mandan, North Dakota; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Beverley.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, at Columbia Mortuary.

Arrangements are entrusted to Columbia Mortuary.