Nicholas Duane "Nick" Feller was born March 9th, 1935 in Rapid City, the oldest son of Nick and Elsie (Bloom) Feller. He received his first twelve years of education at Quinn, South Dakota, graduating in 1953 from Quinn High School. After graduation, he worked a few years before going to college at Black Hills State where he graduated in 1959.
Nick married Carlene Freeman in Higgings, Texas, on June 1st, 1955, and to this union was born one son, Nicholas Jay and two daughters, Jana Lea and Marli Marie.
On October 5th, 1968 he married Sandra Gail Schroeder in Denver, Colorado. They had one son, Robbie Joe.
Nick taught high school business subjects and coached at Interior, SD, Coalstrip, MT, and Wall, SD from September 1959 through 1978. He was chosen Outstanding Teacher of the Year (in Wall High School) for 1969-70. He was also selected to appear in the 1970 Edition of Outstanding Young Men of America. Nick went to work as an agricultural loan officer for Rapid City Production Credit Association in the Philip office in October 1978 and continued with them until February 1986. He then went to work for the First National Bank of Philip as an agricultural loan officer and retired from the bank in April of 2001.
Nick was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Wall and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a life member of the South Dakota Buckaroos and a member of the South Dakota Thoroughbred Association. He was a member of the Wall Rodeo Association for ten years and was a State Director of the SD High School Rodeo Association for seven years. He ranched with his brother James until 1974 when James passed away. He raised his own thoroughbred racehorses and ran them in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona.
Survivors include his wife Sandy of Wall; two sons Nicholas J. Feller and his wife Robin of Engelwood, Colorado, and Rob Feller and his wife Carey of Sioux Falls; two daughters Jana Lea and her husband Scott Jones of Midland, and Marli King of Harrisburg, South Dakota; six grandchildren Nicholas Jensen Feller, Matthew (Brianna) Jones, Maraya and Christopher King, and Arianna and Aston Feller; two great-granddaughters, Jordyn and Jacey Jones; one brother Bob Feller and his wife Janet of Rapid City; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Nick was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers James and Michael Feller; and three sisters Kathleen Daly, Marilyn Lytle, and Linda Hook.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, September 23, with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m., all at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Wall.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the Wall High School Gym in Wall.
Interment with Buckaroo procession will be held at the Wall Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Juvenile Diabetes Fund.
Guest Book
Sandy and Family, I am so very sorry for your loss. Mr. Feller was one of my favorite teachers in high school. He was tough but fair and kind; I learned so much from him. He kept track of his students after we left Wall High School and continued to encourage us as we pursued our careers. I'm so glad I got to visit with him at the Drug Store during coffee recently. He will be missed.
~ Coleen Hays Keffeler
Sturgis (9/22/2016)
We were saddened to hear of Nick's passing. Nick touched the lives of many. May those fond memories last forever. R.I.P. Nick
~ William and Starla Brown
Kadoka, SD (9/23/2016)
To the entire Feller family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Nick always made me feel as we were still neighbors even after leaving the Wall area. Nick was w true man of character and integrity who will be missed by everyone. What an honor to have known him.
~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael
Oakland, Nebraska (9/22/2016)
I'm so sorry to hear of Nick's passing. He was a great teacher, coach and all around good influence on those of us who were in high school in Interior when he was there. He has left a lasting legacy with many of us. Thanks Nick! Sincere condolences to the family.
~ Faye Kruse Knorr
West Bloomfield, MI (9/23/2016)
YOU HAVE MY SINCERE SYMPATHY IN YOUR LOSS. MY SONS HAD NICK AS A TEACHER AND COACH AND ALWAYS SPOKE VERY HIGHLY OF HIM. THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE NICK PASSED THROUGH. WE ARE BLESSED BECAUSE WE KNEW HIM
~ JOYCE JOBGEN
SCENIC, SD 57780 (9/23/2016)
We were so saddened to hear of Nicks passing. He was a very special man and we will miss him. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
~ Boyce and Kathy Kennedy
Wall,SD (9/22/2016)
I first got to know Nick when we started working together at the bank. Instantly, he gave me a nickname, "Christopher" and mine back to him was "Nicole" so that is how we would communicate with one another and always with a big smile on both of our faces. He was an easy boss to work for and always expressed his appreciation.. After he retired from the bank and I'd see him around Wall, often at the Drug Store or the Badlands bar, he always took the time to ask how I was doing and about my family. Brenda (Estes) reminded me of the time we dressed up on Halloween and stopped at Nick and Sandy's house. We were probably a little old to be trick-or-treating but they graciously invited us in for cocktails. Nick was a kind soul and has left some big cowboy boots to carry on his legacy but it will through all of you, his family. God bless you all.
~ Crystal Thorson
Philip, SD (9/22/2016)
My sympathy to all of the Feller family. Nick was my teacher for accounting and other business classes in Wall and what he taught has been put to lifelong use. Mr. Feller will be long remembered and appreciated by his many students.
~ Jim Estes
Saint Paul, MN (9/22/2016)
Sandy and Family, I always enjoyed Nick during my High School years and years after, every time I set down to the computer and type, I think about him.
~ Philip & Mary Kay Wilson
Elm Springs (9/22/2016)
I just wanted to send my sympathy - I have many fond memories of Nick.
~ Lea (Willuweit) Ymker
Armour SD (10/3/2016)
Sandy and family, So sorry to hear of Nick's passing!You are all in my thoughts and prayers!
~ Sharon [ Clark] Dodge
Rapid City, SD (9/24/2016)
Our condolences to Nick's family. I had Nick for my high school typing & accounting teacher...he was a great teacher...one of my favorites! We always enjoyed seeing him when we were back in Wall. He will be truly missed.
~ Kathy & Ted Thompson
Whitewood, SD (9/24/2016)
Sandy and Family
We are saddened by Nick's death. We want to offer you our deepest sympathy. We will not be able to attend the funeral. As we are in Vermont visiting our son(Blake) and his family. Sandy we will see you when we return sometime around the first of October. Take care and God Bless you all.
~ Van & Cathy Simpfenderfer
Wall, SD (9/22/2016)
SANDY, I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF NICKY. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS
~ JOANN HYNES
RAPID CITY, SD (9/24/2016)
Sandy & Family,
My Deepest Sympathy. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I will always remember how he use to pick on me when I was in the bank with my dad. Nick was a wonderful man.
~ Fawna (Geigle) Goff
Sturgis,SD (9/22/2016)
Dear Sandy and Family,
My deepest condolences for your loss. I did not have the pleasure of knowing Nick very well but I remember meeting him when I stayed with him and Sandy during my first summer of Duc in Altum in Wall. He was a very kind and generous man who was just wonderful to be around. I also remember that since I met him he was someone who I looked up to and wanted to imitate. He was a great man and will be very missed. Know that I am praying for Nick and your family and I pray that I will be able to see him face to face once again in the next life. Yet even in these moments of hurt and hardship we have hope for "Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep." 1 Corinthians 15:20
~ Zane Pekron
Milesville, SD (9/25/2016)
We are thinking of you and send our deepest sympathies for your loss of Nick. I was so lucky to meet your family 40+ years ago when Robbie and I could run across back yards and play together in Wall. Then as fate would have it, Cory also got to meet your family after becoming friends with Robbie on the first day of college at USD. Our prayers are with you as you celebrate his life but miss his presence.
~ Heather Engen (Schone) & Cory Engen
Cary, NC (9/25/2016)
So sorry for your loss. Your parents raised a wonderful family and their legacy lives on through you. You're in my prayers
~ Randy, Debbie & family
Wall (9/22/2016)
Sandy and family, we are very sorry to hear of the loss of Nick. He always had time to shake a hand and say hello. He loved the racing business and continued to give us the inside scoop on the horses. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Please find comfort in sharing stories of Nick's life.
~ Clint & Wendy Allison
Quinn, SD (9/22/2016)
I would like to express my sympathy to the family of Nick Feller. I also wanted to share what an inspiration Mr. Feller had on my life. He was my business teacher at Wall High School for three years. I went on to get a degree in accounting, worked at an accounting firm and have spent the remaining years with a career in banking. Thank you Mr. Feller for getting me off to a great start.
~ Joanie Wilson Howland
Lakewood,CO (9/24/2016)
Sandy & family....Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Cherish all your memories and may God be with you all in the days ahead. Rest in Peace, Nick! We will miss you!
~ Terry & Sue Peters
Wall, SD (9/24/2016)
My deepest sympathy to Sandy and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
~ Sheryl Sether
Hot Springs, SD (9/23/2016)
Sandy and family,
I'm so saddened to hear of Nick's passing. He was an amazing man. Always full of stories. He was my favorite teacher and a great friend. Will miss him and making more memories. Life as we know it will not be the same. Prayers and thoughts to all.
~ Bonnie (Crown) Ramirez
Casper, Wyoming (9/22/2016)
Our thoughts and Prayers are with the Feller Family with the loss of Nick. He was a wonderful teacher and friend to so many that will miss him. There are so many wonderful stories to be remembered and told of his life. Rest in Peace Nick, until we meet again.
~ Dale & Penny Baumann
Quinn, SD (9/22/2016)
I am so saddened to hear of Nick's passing. He was a great guy who always had a kind and funny word to say to me in passing which always brought a smile to my face. My prayers are with you all in this time.
~ MacKenzie (Trask) Stangohr
Midland, MI (9/22/2016)
Nick was my favorite teacher in high school, he was tough but he also had a kind heart. We dedicated the 1979 annual to him for all he did to help kids throughout his career. He helped me so much & I will always have a special place in my heart for him. My sympathies to his entire family, he will definitely be missed by so many!
~ Cindy (Gabriel) Nuzum
Wall, SD (9/22/2016)
My deepest condolences to Rob, Carey & family during this time. My thoughts & prayers are with you.
~ Heather (Francis) Oldford
Castle Rock, CO (9/22/2016)
My condolences,, thoughts, and prayers are with you and your family. Take care.
~ Kevin McArthur
Sheldahl,Iowa (9/22/2016)
Sandy and family, So very very sorry for you loss. Mr. Feller was also my favorite teacher. He was tough when he had to be but also funny. He made high school fun. He was a great coach too and kids learned from him. Thoughts and Prayers to the family and our deepest sympathy. He will be missed.
~ Alvin and Donna
Wall (9/22/2016)
The WHITE hat is truly fitting. Nick was a excellent teacher/coach [Interior and Wall] and truly cared about preparing students/athletes for the real world. Truly a great man, neighbor, family man and will truly be missed
~ Tim and Peggy Lester
Austin, Texas (9/22/2016)