Nick Dimich

Nick Dimich Jr., 67, of Coleraine died on Friday, December 6, due to an accidental fall in his home. He was the son of his loving and caring parents Millie and Nick M. Dimich. Born on January 24, 1952, in Grand Rapids, Nick Jr. grew up in Coleraine and graduated from Greenway High School in 1970, then Itasca State Junior College and Bemidji State College with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education. He became a very dedicated and loved teacher who taught in the Cass Lake, Deer River and Grand Rapids schools, but spent the majority of his teaching career at the Bug-O-Nag-Ge-Sheg School in Cass County where he immersed himself into the Ojibwe culture.

Nick loved nature and hunting and fishing, but most of all spending time with family and friends at his beloved Sprinkle Lake where he found peace and tranquility in his tipi and a simple log screen house. As an athlete and student at Greenway, he formed many close relationships with his teammates and friends as well as the close buddies with whom he plied the woods and waters. From ring-necked ducks jetting into a smoky gold tamarack-rimmed lake to big water bluebills in the snow, to walleyes on Big Winnie while staying at the “Hawkeye Fish Camp” to catching bass and crappies with Beatle Spins on his sunken island spot to deer hunting from the “White Pine Stand” to his many canoe and travelling adventures, Nick loved whatever nature presented and treasured those who accompanied him.

Nick was definitely a free spirit, living life on his terms, taking paths others might not have taken. He was much loved by many for what he was, but he also frustrated some for what he wasn’t. To understand that you had to have known him. But, above all, he was kind, interesting and interested in what others had to say and how they felt. He never had a harsh word for anybody for what they were or weren’t, believing in the saying, “each to their own.” He was also always an advocate for the underdog and championed equality for all. Because money was never very important to him, he preferred to drive his old red truck and pretty much lived in jeans, sweatshirts and an ear cuff. No matter what, however, he was forever neat, avoiding any sort of clutter.

Nick Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, an infant baby sister Betty Ann in 1951, maternal grandparents, Nikola and Pera Dimich and paternal grandparents, Mike and Roza Dimich (yes both his parents were Dimichs!). He was baptized in the Serbian Orthodox faith.

Nick Jr. is survived by his loving family, close brother Rod (Kristin) Dimich of Grand Rapids, aunt Elizabeth “Bess” (Ted) Kuryla of Bemidji and her daughter Dr. Jessica (Barry Werk) Kuryla of Mankato, nieces Roni (Kirk) Adams, Kisha (Justin) Harms and their children, nephew Nikolas Dimich of Grand Rapids and his special cousins and very close friends.

Although Nick Jr. will be missed greatly, please remember when we hear someone with an infectious laugh or smell a campfire or stand amazed as the sun dips ember-red into its goodnight, Nick will be there. Although the Ojibwe have no word for goodbye, they do have one for thank you, “miigwech,” and that is what we say to Nick for being a wonderful part of our lives. As the Serbian people say when a loved one passes, “vjecnaja pamjat,” memories eternal. We will forever love you and miss you, Jr.!

As per Nick Jr.’s wishes, instead of funeral services, a luncheon gathering to laugh, tell stories and be happy will be held on his birthday, January 24, 2020, at the Locker Room Bar & Restaurant in Coleraine, MN from 3-7.  Arrangements are by the Peterson Funeral Chapel of Coleraine.  To leave an online message of condolence please visit our website at www.petersonfuneralchapelofcoleraine.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.