Aidan Nichols Long, 16

Aidan Nichols Long, the beloved son of Ben Long and Karen Nichols, died in his sleep at their home in Kalispell early on Jan. 14, 2021. Aidan was 16.

Aidan was born in Kalispell in 2004. He grew up loving the Montana way of life. He enjoyed camping, canoeing, collecting insects and fishing. He attended Glacier High School’s Life Skills class at the time of his death. He previously attended Hedges elementary and Kalispell Middle School. He loved books, cowboy songs, silly poems and Disney movies, particularly “Robin Hood” and “Aladdin.” He dreamed of being a builder and connecting buildings in downtown Kalispell with sky bridges. He was a champion hugger.

At age 5, Aidan developed epilepsy, which developed into a severe and rare seizure disorder. He spent long periods of time hospitalized and was flown to urban hospitals several times when his seizures grew out of control. Despite 12 years of merciless seizures and relentless medical treatments, he retained a loving, open and curious nature. He was beloved by a long list of friends, neighbors, aides, nurses, educators, therapists and medical professionals who worked with him over the years. The family especially thanks his local doctors, Lynn Dykstra and Marcus Wheeler, and their staff. The family also expresses deepest gratitude for all who loved Aidan and showed him kindness.

Aidan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Don and Mary Nichols, of Silver Spring, Maryland.

Aidan is survived by his parents, Karen Nichols, longtime photographer for the Daily Inter Lake, and Ben Long, former reporter for the Daily Inter Lake, of Kalispell; and his aunt and uncle, Tracy and Michael Scholl, of Louisville, Colorado. He is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Roger and Genevieve Long, of Deary, Idaho; aunts and their partners, Kristen and Steve Hanson, of Lewiston, Idaho; Dana and Shane Kim, of Mercer Island, Washington; Elenore Long and Jen Clifton of Chandler, Arizona; cousins Brady Scholl, of Louisville, Colorado, Sarah and Eric Kim, of Mercer Island, and Pascale Jarvis, of Easthampton, Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials be made in his name to Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE) or the LGS Foundation.

A memorial will be organized when the pandemic is over.

Aidan was never shy about telling people he loved them. His parents believe a good way to honor Aidan’s life is to follow that example.