Nicole’s Obituary Nicole Danielle Alex January 31, 1980 – March 9, 2019 Captivating. That is what she was. The very minute Little Miss Nicole Danielle Alex, fondly nicknamed “Nikki”, was delivered into this world to Nick and Dani Alex, she stole our hearts.
From that cold 31st day of January, 1980, arriving 5 weeks early, until her March 9, 2019 passing, much too soon … she was … captivating. These words, her life on paper, do not seem adequate. How do you capture the essence of such an incredible human with words?
And so we try. As a child, Nikki was delightful and happy. She was a beautiful child.
Thoroughly enjoying cuddles, bath time and the voice of Papa Nick serenading her. Beaming with life, she kept her family busy, entertained, and endlessly amused. Nikki, her older brother Joshua Lee Alex, and her younger brother Duke Daniel John David Alex kept their parents running in many directions, to sporting events, music performances, dance activities, and summer swim meets.
Aside from attending Havre High School her junior year, Nikki’s elementary, middle school and high school years were spent making countless memories at Blue Sky Schools. She was incredibly talented, sharing her magic with the world through dance, theatre, piano and a voice that caused everyone in the room to hold their breath captivated. This was especially true when her voice was entwined with her daddy’s in one of their mesmerizing duets.
She danced through life, leaving her signature on people, places and experiences. Nicole attended the University of Montana from 1998 – 1999 studying piano. In the fall of 1999, she moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she worked in accounting at the home offices of Family Christian Book Stores before being hired on as manager of a Grand Rapids Guess Store.
In 2002, Nicole and Justin Hofeldt were blessed with a beautiful, big blue-eyed baby girl, Ellexa Mikell Hofeldt, weighing in at a whopping 5 lb. , 2 oz. The three of them returned to the Hi-Line area in 2003, but Nicole and Justin separated soon after.
Nicole became a nail tech and worked at the Top Hat Salon in Havre. While working there, she met Nick Arnold, a football-playing college student at MSUN. They fell in love, married, moved to Rock Springs, Wyoming and welcomed a vivacious, happy baby girl, Rileigh Jo Arnold, on July 3, 2006.
Nick and Nikki moved to Missoula where she worked at the Cowgirl Hair Salon. Life’s challenges pulled the couple apart, they divorced and Nicole returned to Hingham. Nicole met Brady Johnson in 2012 and the pair provided a handsome gift for two elated sisters.
Chance Nicholas Kurt Johnson was born on November 11, 2013. They moved to Columbia Falls in June of 2014. After separating in August of that year, Nicole resided there for the last 4 ½ years of her life.
While in Columbia Falls she worked as the manager of the Mercantile, a boutique in the Lodge at Whitefish Lake. For the last 18 months of her life she loved to be in the company of Wheeler Smallwood. Ellexa, Rileigh and Chance were the loves of her life, and the last 4 years of her life were spent as a single mom fiercely dedicated to them.
She was an exceptional cook, and loved sharing this talent with her children, family and friends. Swan Lake was her happy place. Surrounded by friends and family at the lake, she enjoyed swimming, water skiing, and paddle boarding.
She and Chance loved kayaking together. She loved snowshoeing, skiing and hiking and in the Flathead valley. Nicole loved to go to the gym and always kept herself in good shape.
She had an eye for fashion and decorating. Her home, impeccable style and appearance vividly displayed evidence of this gift. Rarely did she step foot outside with a hair out of place.
She was beautiful, Inside and out with her fun, confident, loving, vivacious and generous spirit. She had a way about her. Anyone who had the honor of having Nikki in their life could see it.
She graced our lives in so many ways and we have all been gifted with her imprint. She left us priceless memories, moments, and smiles (she had a glorious smile) to remember her by. Nicole Danielle Alex is unforgettable.
Although her passing is profoundly painful, we are thankful for the short 39 years she poured into each of us. She was and is deeply loved by her family and friends and will be forever in our hearts. Nikki will be lovingly remembered by her children, Ellexa, Rileigh and Chance; her parents, Nick and Dani; her brother Josh Alex and his daughters Domonique Alex and Amelia Alex; her brother Duke Alex and his daughter Bayleigh Alex; her auntie Darci Gunderson Darlington (Russel Darlington); her uncle Dru Gunderson and his wife Ann; her uncle John R. Alex and his wife Mavis; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and her many friends.
Nicole was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents John Alex and his wife Phoebe Dolph Alex; and her maternal grandparents David Gunderson and his wife Dolores Frizell Gunderson. A Celebration of Nicole’s Life will be Wednesday, March 20, 1:00 pm at 5th Avenue Christian Church, 2015 5th Avenue, Havre. Her service will be followed by her burial a and a reception at the Beaver Creek Golf Course.
Memorials to Nicole Alex Children’s College Fund, c/o Independence Bank, 435 Third Street, Havre, MT 59501. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Nikki’s online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at www.
hollandbonine.com.
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