Dear Class of 1961:

This is a Deacon Alert to inform you of the passing of Donald Nilles on Wednesday, July 9th.

Don was the husband of your classmate, Mary Ellen (Duval) Nilles ('61).

Obituary:

Donald Nilles, 85, of Casselton, ND, passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at home with family.

Don was born to Frank and Johanna (Fuhrman) Nilles on April 11, 1940. He was the sixth child and grew up on the family farm in Durbin, ND. He attended a one-room schoolhouse in Everest and graduated from Lincoln High School in Casselton, ND. He attended St. John University in Minnesota and NDSU in Fargo, ND.  He married Mary Ellen Duval Oct. 23, 1965. They have four children - Renee Nilles, Mapleton, ND; Thomas W. Nilles, Casselton, ND; Allen (Melanie) Nilles, Bismarck, ND, and Linda (Tony) Sakrismo, West Fargo, and five grandchildren Riley (Hunter) Olson, Samantha Sakrismo, Jonathan Sakrismo, Sydney Nilles and Alexandra Nilles, and great granddaughter Amelia and baby girl Olson, due the end of August.

Don is also survived by his siblings James (Joyce) Nilles, Faulkton, SD; Rosemary Trom, Gilbert, IA; Mary Ann (Edwin) Cooke, Fargo, ND; and Debbie (Scott) Smith, Overland Park, KS; brothers and sisters-in-law Judy (Dave) Gebeke, Rio Rancho, NM; Cheryl (Mike) Cegla, Hawley, MN; Andre (Candy) Duval, Coolidge, AZ; Dan (Shawn) Duval, Hutchinson, MN; Jenell Nilles, Fargo, ND and many nieces and nephews.

He was lifetime farmer raising cattle and served as a volunteer fireman for 38 years and as fire chief for 12 of those years. He was active in the Knights of Columbus flipping pancakes and frying sausage, was a scoutmaster for the local Boy Scouts with several of the boys reaching Eagle Scout status. He enjoyed planting flowers and vegetables, photography, making things out of wood and singing in the church choir. He also really enjoyed his sweets, especially donuts, going for daily coffee and playing cards. 

He was preceded in death by parents Frank and Johanna Nilles; in-laws Avila and Lucille Duval; siblings and in-laws Audrey and Leroy Dauner, Harold and Elaine Nilles, Paul Nilles, Carl and Nancy Nilles and David Nilles.

Visitation: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 from 5 to 7 PM with a rosary at 5 PM and prayer service at 7 PM at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Casselton.

Funeral Mass:  Wednesday, July 16 at 10:30 AM at St. Leo’s with visitation one hour prior.

Burial: St. Leo’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Casselton Knights of Columbus, Casselton Fire Department or Community of Care.