Merlin Nemitz

Merlin Nemitz grew up on a large family ranch/farm South of Glendive, Montana. He was active in 4-H and Little Britches Rodeos throughout his childhood and into his high school years. Participating in all events. He also loved sports, especially football, which later led to many years of officiating high school football in Montana.

He attended Dawson County Community College for two years, participating on the rodeo team, mainly competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, and bull riding events. He then transferred to the University of Wyoming on a rodeo scholarship, where he focused on steer wrestling and bull riding. He earned his card and joined the PRCA, as well as entering wild horse races with his brothers Joe and John.

Merlin loved learning and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management. He also completed some graduate work in range management, including a trip to Mexico to study grasslands.

He met his wife, Diane, shortly after arriving in Laramie at “Snorts Bar.” Diane, who was from the LA area, had also transferred to the University of WY. She was excited to see a real cowboy. Usually shy, her friends convinced her to come out for an evening. Merlin with his friend and a cousin, noticed the girls walking in. One said, “I will take the brunette.” Another, “I will take the redhead,” and good old Merlin said, “I’ll take the blonde.”

Tapping Diane on the shoulder, the cowboy got up the nerve to ask her to dance. Diane turned and looked into those beautiful blue eyes that shone brighter than a Montana sky. They were married the following June 3rd, 1976. Thus began the journey of true love and adventure.

After graduating, Merlin worked for the Game and Fish of Wyoming. First for the fish division, then for the construction division, and then for the game division, feeding elk south of Jackson Hole.

During the following years, Merlin worked as a ranch hand, in the oil fields, construction, drove a truck, and worked for the Soil Conservation Service.

In the Spring of 1994, Merlin headed to Alaska for construction. The family experienced the AL-CAN highway adventure, joining him in North Pole, Alaska, on Father’s Day. Late that year, the family returned home, and Merlin continued working in Alaska in various remote villages.

Merlin and family settled in Cheyenne in early 1998.

Merlin was one of the richest people we knew. It wasn’t a richness of money but in knowledge, life, what makes something the way it is, and keeping the curiosity of a child. It would fill the pages of a novel to share all of the memories and character qualities he embodied.

As each of his children shared what made their dad extraordinary, the following traits were unanimous.

• Love for the Lord, Family, and Life

Dad was magnetic; everyone gravitated toward him. He adored his wife and could find the humor in anything. Was fun and quirky. We would end up laughing so hard after a great story that we cried and couldn’t breathe. He didn’t have to make them up because he lived them. He loved Jesus with a quiet strength and taught us to love him too. Dad’s faith was his foundation from which he never swayed. He rarely raised his voice, yet his presence spoke volumes. He saw life itself as a gift. And besides Jesus, time and family, he said, were the most precious gifts we possessed. Dad was hard working yet demanded your best, or you’d hear about it. He had a drive like no one we have ever known. It was hard to keep up, but that was part of the lesson. He loved movement, progress, and seeing projects through to completion. Just one of many lessons he taught us. His smile was a mixture of mischief and sincerity. He lived a life of integrity and service. His favorite people were kids. The bear hugs he gave, are one of the things everyone will miss the most.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

• Favorite Sayings

If you’re going to do something, do it right.

Some questions don’t deserve an answer.

How long has this been going on? (Be sure to use a measuring tape.)

Yipee Ya Hooski

Wake up, lovin life, and be grateful

No matter what was wrong with the kids, he said, “Feed ’em, don’t they look hungry?”

Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Be thankful that you have another day to get something done, better yourself, continue growing, love, and be a positive influence.

Try thinking before you speak.

People matter.

You deal with it.

Leave it better than you found it.

• Interests

As he pursued an entrepreneurial adventure, he became more passionate about reading. This passion opened a whole new world of learning about success principles, people skills, the history of our country, as Dad was a true patriot, and what God expected of him as a man. He was an amazing Fishing coach, loved animals, especially horses. He was never too busy to share his love of horses with the grandkids, teaching the whole time. A good ole dance and card playing, Dad was always ready for. He enjoyed guns, whether it was hunting, shooting sports, or reloading. Sharing activities with the grandkids, such as trampoline time, movie watching, and the tasting of His tapioca pudding (never eat it cold), as well as the weekly tradition of Ice Cream Friday. This tradition is something Dad started to celebrate the end of the workweek, and it has progressed into something that brings us all together, no matter where we are. This tradition will live on.

Husband to Diane Nemitz; father to Holly, Ben, Heidi, Heather, Matt, and Honey; son of Kenneth and Lillian Nemitz; brother to Marvin, Joe, John, and Kent Nemitz.

He is survived by his wife Diane, children Holly Jones (Ed), Ben Nemitz (Katie), Heidi Case (David), Heather Earles (Rockne), Matt Nemitz, and Honey Lopez (Benny); twenty-two Grandchildren, two Great Grandchildren, and three Grand Baby Angels; father Kenneth and brothers Marvin (Rita) and Joe (Nadine); numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A funeral service will be held at Cheyenne Hills Church on July 14, 2025 at 2:00PM. A graveside service will take place afterwards at Mountain View Memorial Park at 3:30PM. The family would like to extend an invitation to a reception after the graveside service at The Barn at Cheyenne Hills.

For those wishing to join the services in Merlin's hometown of Glendive, Montana, a small gathering will be held at The Church in Glendive, located at 815 Jefferson School Road, Glendive, MT 59330. The funeral services taking place in Cheyenne will be live streamed at The Church in Glendive for those attending locally.

If you would like to view the livestream for Merlin's services please click here: Livestream Services

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to make donations to the following programs:

Heroes & Horses Donations

Outreach America Donation

This is not the end of Merlin’s story, only the beginning, as he lived on the adrenaline of life, riding off into the sunset with his boots on!

He is our Hero!