Carl D. Nilles

Carl Nilles, formerly of Fessenden, ND, passed away in the early morning hours on March 1st, 2021 at the Sanford Long Term Care Center in Hillsboro, ND. He moved to Hillsboro, ND to be closer to family following an illness in July of 2020. Carl was born in Fargo, ND to Frank and Johanna (Fuhrman) Nilles on Oct 23rd, 1941. The 7th of 10 children, he grew up on the family farm 5 miles south of Casselton, ND. Carl attended school in Everest Township and then in Casselton when the 1 room schoolhouse closed, graduating in 1959. He went on to follow his older brother, Harold, majoring in Pharmacy at NDSU. He was a practicing Pharmacist for most of his adult life holding a Pharmacy license for 53 years. He served both the Carrington and then Fessenden communities. In 1963 he married Diantha Zurn with whom he had 3 children, Daniel, Matthew, and Andrew. They divorced in 1980. He married Hazel Schimelfenig in 1982, they divorced in in 2004. Carl married Nancy Wright in 2010. She passed away in 2014. Carl is survived by his children, Daniel (Rhonda) Nilles of Hillsboro, ND, their children, Rhyen, Nichole, Michael, and Andrew. Matthew Nilles of Grand Forks, ND, his children, Alexandra and Johanna. And Andrew (Sandra) Nilles of Forsyth, IL, and their children Isabella, Katherine, Alexis and Sebastian. His brothers and sisters, Audrey (Leroy) Dauner, Hawley, MN. James (Joyce) Nilles, Faulkton, SD. Rosemary Trom, Gilbert, IA. Donald (Mary Ellen) Nilles, Casselton, ND. Mary Ann (Edwin) Cooke, Fargo, ND. David (Jennell) Nilles, Fargo ND, and Debbie (Scott) Smith, Shawnee Mission, KS. And many nieces and nephews. Carl was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, his parents Frank and Johanna and 2 brothers, Paul and Harold. Carl had many interests over the years, he had been an active member of the ND Jaycees and had served as a scout leader. He loved league bowling, where his highest scoring game was a 297, just 3 pins from a perfect game, hunting when he was younger, gardening, canning, bird-watching and had dabbled in woodworking. Services will be held at 2:00 PM at Boulger Funeral home in Fargo on Sunday March 7th, 2021, with burial to follow at St. Leo’s Cemetery in Casselton. We ask that all attendees wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of the Red River Valley would be appreciated.