The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

(Stella) Maurine Overcast Nicholson Taylor, 87, of Chinook, MT passed away in January 15, 2017 at the Billings Clinic of natural causes. Maurine was born April 25, 1929 on the family farm 9 miles outside of Chinook, MT to Dow and Karleen Overcast. She resided all of her life in the Paradise Valley.

While on vacation to Birch Tree Missouri in 1946, Maurine met her love, Chet Nicholson. After 2 years of writing letters, they became engaged on December 24, 1948. They were married on May 29, 1949. Chet and Maurine had 6 wonderful children; Jan Sturgeon (John) of Richmond, TX, Tom Nicholson (Sheri) of Billings, MT, Dick Nicholson (Nellie Jo) of Chinook, MT, Deb Smith (Rick) of Kalispell, MT, Bob Nicholson (Diana) of Rapid City, SD, and Bill Nicholson (Rochelle) of Kalispell, MT. The kids were the pride and joy of their days. Maurine lived on a small farm in Paradise Valley where they raised sugar beets, malting barley, hay, and cattle until 1979. Maurine would often tell the story of driving the tractor farming while holding a baby in her arms or working in the kitchen with one in her arms and using her foot to rock the cradle of another one. Following Chet's death in 1978, she moved off the farm in 1979 and began working for the Roy Talmage Accounting Firm until her retirement.

Maurine met Ed Taylor while wintering in Winterhaven, CA. Ed and Maurine were married in 2000, and traveled extensively until Ed's death in December of 2010. Maurine enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world after her retirement, as well as watching her grandkids activities, and playing a game of Crib. She loved to do cross stitch and embroidery. Maurine was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church of Chinook where she came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Maurine's only regret in life was "Not spending more time with her kids when they were young."

Maurine is survived by her children; Jan, Tom, Dick, Deb, Bob and Bill. Also surviving are her 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and two sisters, Trina Thielman of Chester, MT and Patricia Schmear (Roland) of Holly Ranch, TX. Preceding her in death were her parents Dow and Karleen Overcast, husband Chet Nicholson (June 6, 1978) and husband Ed Taylor (December 24, 2010), her brother Dow Overcast Jr., sister-in-law Margaret Overcast, brother-in-law Terry Thielman, and brother-in-law John Ragsdale. Visitation was on Thursday, January 19th at Edwards Funeral Home at 7:00 PM. Maurine's funeral service was held at the United Methodist Church in Chinook, MT on Friday, January 20, 2017 at 11:00 AM. A private family burial was held at Kuper Memorial Cemetery prior to the service. Honorary pallbearers were all of her grandchildren. Memorials may be sent to the Chinook Food Pantry or the United Methodist Church of Chinook.

A00013B2016JA15