Donald Lynn Nansel ~ November 1, 1921 - October 23, 2011

Donald Lynn Nansel passed away peacefully at 5:42 p.m., on Oct. 23, 2011, surrounded by his family and friends at his home, following a brief but valiant battle with cancer.

Don was born Nov. 1, 1921, in Myers, the son of Joe and Phoebie Nansel. He attended schools at Edwards Creek, Rancher and Hysham. After graduating from high school in 1939, he was employed by Bradbook Saunders Lumber and Hardware Co. in Hysham.

Soon after the beginning of World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and received his basic training in Santa Anna, Calif., graduating as a navigator - bombardier.

For the next two years, he served in the 97th Squadron - 47th Bomb Group, flying 60 single plane night bombing missions over Northern Italy. He was discharged in 1945 as a 1st Lt.

In 1946, he married Dottie Bays from Shreveport, La. They owned and operated the Treasure Lumber & Hardware Co. in Hysham for 35 years. They sold the business in 1979, and moved to Billings in 1980.

He is survived by his wife, Dottie, his son Dale of San Francisco, Calif., his daughter Jane and her husband Alan Erickson, his grandson Andrew Erickson and his partner Samantha and great-grandson Hayden, his grandson Steven, all of Clancy, his sister Joy Myhre of Billings, his brother Dr. Arlo Nansel of Miles City, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church in Hysham, on Thursday, Oct. 27. Print this post