Nathan Allan Nygaard

With deep sorrow and grateful hearts for the life he lived, the family shares the passing of Nate Nygaard on January 23, 2026, in Kalispell, Montana.

Nate was born on March 24, 1945, to Alvin and Norma Nygaard in rural Sharon, North Dakota, and grew up on the farm nearby. He was a 1963 graduate of Sharon High School and completed a Baccalaureate degree in Business Administration from the University of North Dakota, class of 1968. Nate was a lifelong UND Fighting Sioux hockey fan and followed the team to the Frozen Four several times.

Nate’s introduction to Montana came when his parents took him to the World’s Fair in Seattle, Washington, in 1962. Later, during his college summers, Nate trained in Montana to become a smoke jumper. He jumped in Missoula from 1965–1966 and in Grangeville, Idaho, in 1967, and was a life member of the National Smokejumper’s Association. He often said he would return to Montana to retire.

Nate served proudly as an Army officer from August 1968 through August 1988 in the Medical Service Corps, serving as a Health Services Personnel Manager (67F) and Comptroller (67C). His tours included Hawaii, Vietnam, San Antonio, Texas, Mainz, and Bremerhaven, FRG, Fort Ord, California, and the Presidio of San Francisco. Nate earned a Master of Science degree in Accounting from Central Michigan University in 1977. Additionally, he completed Airborne training, the Command and General Staff College, the Inspector General Course, and the Comptrollership Course.

Among his many recognitions, Nate earned the Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Badge with Palm, the Combat Medical Badge, the Expert Field Medical Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.

Following his 20 years of military service, Nate applied his knowledge and skills to corporate and civilian health care management for another 20 years. He excelled at navigating relationships between military and civilian health care organizations in several regions, including California, Hawaii, Dubai, and New England. He was highly regarded and left an indelible impact on those who knew and worked with him.

Nate was a connoisseur of living. His consideration of others, calm and gentle demeanor, and ability to engage with people were evident throughout his professional and personal life. He loved his family and friends, traveling, woodworking, skiing, picking huckleberries, hunting, watching rodeos, and sipping wine.

In 2011, Nate returned to Montana and built his dream retirement home in the woods above Glen Lake in Eureka, Montana. This became his happy place. For the next ten years, Nate, with his zest for both adventure and tranquility, lived fully, surrounded by a large cadre of friends and family in the Montana mountains under the vast big sky. He enjoyed many social gatherings where he provided the wine and regaled family and friends with stories of his life adventures and travels. He was deeply loved and respected and will be greatly missed; all who knew him are enriched for having known him.

Nate is survived by Kay Nygaard and Jennifer Wilber; his children, Kristi (Matt) Antush, Eric (Katrina) Nygaard, and Brian Wilber; his grandchildren, Caroline Antush, Gemma Antush, Theo Nygaard, and Solveig Nygaard; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Nate was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Norma Nygaard, and his sisters, Doris (Nedberg) Vinger and Betty Hillesland.

Burial will take place on Friday, January 30, 2026, at noon with full military honors at the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Missoula, Montana. A celebration of life will be held in Eureka, Montana, on June 21, 2026.

Donations may be made in his remembrance to the Eureka Volunteer Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 670, Eureka, MT 59917, or the National Smokejumper’s Association, The Good Samaritan Fund, 10 Judy Lane, Chico, CA 95926.

The family would like to highlight the thoughtful and kind care provided by the staff at Immanuel Living in Kalispell, Montana.

Support provided by Buffalo Hills Funeral Home, Kalispell, Montana.