Ralph Nice Obituary

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of a very loving husband, father, step-father, grandfather and friend. He saw the "Lights of Home," and entered Heaven on April 8, 2007. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of his family, and the open arms of his Father, our Lord. Ralph was born on August 29, 1924 in Deshler, Nebraska. After the death of his mother, Esther Sittler Nice, when he was an infant, he and his father Oscar Nice moved to Yoder, Colorado, where he was raised by his grandparents, Albert and Nellye Nice, while his father worked. After graduating from Yoder High School in 1941, Ralph joined and proudly served the U.S. Navy from 1943 - 1946. He joined the Colorado Springs Fire Department in 1947, and rose thru the ranks to retire as "Chief" of the department. After 31 years with the C.S. Fire Department, he retired on May 1, 1978. He loved fishing, golf, traveling, auto mechanics, music, piano playing, singing, mountain air, and fixing bikes and skateboards and such for any child in need of toy repairs. He also loved his lifetime of serving God. He was preceded in heaven by his mother, Esther Sittler Nice, his father, Oscar Nice and his step-mother, Mary Kosley Nice. He will be deeply missed by Gayle, his loving wife of 37 years, his five children, Mike Nice, Linda (Charlie) Geist, Sharon (Jim) Laird, Karen Nice, Steve (Doreen) Nice, his step-children, Cleo (Guy) Bentley and Mark Richards, his seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and his half sister, D.M. George. He will be forever missed and honored for his great faith in God, his love for his family, many friends and "brotherhood" of the C.S. Fire Department. He will also be deeply missed and honored by the wonderful Sittler family, Kosley family, and Gayle's family, as well. His faith, generosity, amazing humor and quick wit will be missed by all who have ever met him. A visitation will be held on April 13, 2007, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Trinity Church of the Nazarene, located at 5055 El Camino Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918. A Celebration of his life service will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Church of the Nazarene, 5055 El Camino Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918, with burial to follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 3825 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80910. In lieu of flowers, memorial funds may be made to: Dr. Lester L. Williams Fire Museum, Box 119, Colorado Springs, CO 80901 or to Trinity Church of the Nazarene, 5055 El Camino Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. In behalf and honor of Ralph W. Nice, Isaiah 53 versus 1-10, Psalm 91.