Nick Ozinga
Nicholas "Nick" Abraham Ozinga of Bozeman was born Oct. 7, 1979, in Billings to Robert and Kate Ozinga. He was a strikingly beautiful child with big blue eyes, dimples, and silky blond hair. Nick passed peacefully Oct. 22, 2009, heaven bound to be with his Grandpa Ruben, leaving his family and friends with many loving memories.
Nick grew up in Red Lodge, embracing the outdoor lifestyle wholeheartedly. He skied at age 3 and was a first snowboarder on Red Lodge Mountain. Nick shared his passion for camping, fishing, boarding and floating the river with his childhood friends, Ben, Ryan, Timmy and Kent, who remained lifelong friends and brothers. The Red Lodge school flag flew at half-mast for Nick.
As a young man, Nick learned to paint locomotives at LRC. His mentors and role models were Mike Miller and Gordy Suda. Nick truly admired and appreciated their help which led to a successful career. He worked for Ressler's and was currently employed at Bozeman Ford, where he was painter extraordinaire. His talent in graphics was innate.
Nick was the "James Dean" of Red Lodge, Livingston and Bozeman. His sparkling eyes, sense of style and captivating energy earned him the nickname "Showbiz."
Nick is dearly missed by his mother, Kate of Livingston; father, Robert of Centreville, Md.; brother, Michael "Moke" of Livingston; sister, Elizabeth (Ryan) Anderson and nephews, Kaaden and Finn of Casper, Wyo.; grandma, Betty Steinmetz-Joliet; his true love, Alma Bontly of Livingston; grandparents, Bob and Milly Ozinga of Ames, Iowa; and many special aunts, cousins, friends and his special "bros" - you know who you are.
Nick was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mary Jane Ozinga; grandfather, Ruben Steinmetz; uncle, Lynn Steinmetz; and aunt, Jan Steinmetz.
There is not enough color in the world to paint a picture of Nick which accurately reflects his life, energy and spirit. Only the good die young. Love forever.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 310 W. Lewis, Livingston.
Memorials in Nick's name may be made to the Big Sky Youth Empowerment Project, P.O. Box 6757, Bozeman, MT 59771.
PLEASE TELL US A STORY ABOUT NICK. It'll make you feel better. I promise.
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I can remember some pretty kick-ass firework wars at the Ozinga house where we caught the bushes on fire. And playing madden/talking video game smack in the basement. I can recall one 4th of July where we were on top of the huge Gravel Piles at the airport and we were firing our fireworks down at some adults that were at the bottom of the gravel piles lighting off their fireworks. They got pissed at us and started coming up the pile so we all took off running down the other side and I ate shit when the hill turned into flat land due to the fact it was so dark I couldn't see the bottom of the hill. Luckily his house was close, so we had a good getaway!
He later moved to Livingston and by some twist of fate befriended many of the kids I grew up with and even my Step-Dad Cody. Nick, Cody, my brother Kolter and I took a trip to Mexico two years back and had a blast (to say the least).
Nick truly stands out as one of the nicest, coolest, most trustworthy individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting, and I am a better person having known someone like him.
i knew nick when we were weefellas, i wish i could have shared those times in more recent years. i remember him always having freakishly blond hair and looking like he stepped off the cover of THRASHER magazine. i thought that was awesome. i got my first skateboard from him. it was a "Santa Monica Airlines" board, it had two tips. and when nick rode it, it looked awesome. (not so much for me.) Hangin out on the quarter pipe kents brother travis built in front of there house. nick had an unmistakable laugh. Nick had these mine shafts behind his house and we used to go screw around in there till his mom would drag us out. i think we got a pack of camel non filter cigarettes from jer hahn one time and attempted to smoke em in the fort up behind boo's house, that didnt work out so well. GOOD TIMES! i ran in to him last year in RL and was blown away to see him. we bullshitted for like two hours in the blue. he was a permasmile kinda guy. i have always had a thing for MAHEM stuff, i feel like a part of it. and now i think all the stuff i have has a whole new meaning. I am proud to have it, wear it, and share it. i feel for your loss guys, but you know he just had to get the promiseland prepared for when all of you crazy mahem loving tweakers take your happy asses there! you guys are in my thoughts and prayers.
It's thursday and I can't make it tommorow. But my tears tell me that another soul I loved is gone. And remember when I babysat? And you and your brother were so naughty? I do and the shit you used to pull but you grew up. You made a point to see me and let me know that I made an impact?? So here are my tears and "you're killen me smalls". You were supposed to outlive me. But since you couldn't I will share your spirit and make sure that you live on. God speed and peace, Baby.
I first met Nick when we were 13, doing community service for breaking into the Civic Center in Red Lodge. Out of the 4 or 5 guys sentenced, we were the only 2 to show up to work, and became friends from there on. Nick always had my back right or wrong - which was nice when you have a big mouth at my size. He was always there to talk to and would never say no to a good time.
My Dad and I hung with him a few times this summer at the motocross races and was his first time he really got to sit and talk with Nick and on one of the drives home my Dad asked me if Nick ever had any down times, and I sat there for a second thinking about it and I said “ya know.......no! and now that I really think about it...... he is always like that!” and I think it was the first time that I actually realized it myself. He was ALWAYS in a good mood ready to get after it anytime, anywhere.
One rafting trip this summer really sticks out in my mind Nick didn’t stop talking and we didn’t stop laughing. He made everything just a little better.... ok a lot better.
Nick always tried to pay me for Mahem stuff but I wouldn’t allow it because He was Mahem. Nick was everything it stands for, and for a guy like Nick to be wearing it was payment enough.
I'm gonna miss a lot of things about Nick, he had a lot of crazy quirks from saying things and changing the first letters of the words, to driving home nicknames he had made for ya whether you liked them or not, and the worse you liked the name the worse it was gonna be for ya.
Nick was and will be an inspiration to me. I will think about him everyday and will try to live my life like he lived his....with the music turned up a little louder than necessary, a smile on my face, wasting no time sitting around. I love ya brother
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to spend a couple of weekends with Nick in the last month and while riding in his truck, having breakfast, or across the table at dinner, had a few conversations with him. The smile never left his face and no matter where the conversation went he remained positive and enthusiastic. Nick would look you in the eye. I walked away from that weekend very impressed with the man that skinny little kid had grown into. And I tried to learn to be a little more positive and enthusiastic. I'm a better person for having known Nick Ozinga.
The absolute worst part of parenting is having to say good bye to one of those friends.
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