A life that ended too soon, Nicholaus Cole Donoven died quietly at home on March 17, 2026.  He went by Nick, but he was also referred to as Buck by many in his family.  He was born March 29, 1979 in Havre, Montana to his parents Noela and Brian Donoven who later divorced in 1995.  He lived a life rooted in simplicity, hard work, and deep love for his family.

Nick's childhood was spent living in Kremlin, Montana where he attended KG elementary school and later graduated from KG High School in Gildford, Montana.  School wasn't really something he enjoyed for the books, studying or tests, but more for the time to be with friends and even a few favorite teachers.  While in high school, he did work studies for school credit with Ron Kapperud and that set the pace for continuing with on-the-job training and skills rather than any additional formal education.

While there never seems to be enough time, Nick made the most of his short time with a wide variety of jobs over the years, picking up skills and stories wherever he went. In his most recent role, he found plenty of opportunities to do what he did best: share a smile, tell a story, and give people a conversation to remember.

Nick lived life his own way: full throttle-all gas and no brakes, often outdoors, and occasionally with just enough danger to keep things interesting. His younger years were packed with adventures that probably should have come with warning labels, but if you asked him, they were just part of growing up right.

Nick valued the important friendships he built throughout his life. He had a way of turning friends into family, sharing laughter, loyalty, and countless memories that will be cherished by all who knew him. His latest group of friends were formed after connecting at work and putting together their music and game nights that brought Nick more laughs and a lot of pleasure.

Two happy places for Nick were the farm and the cabin in the Bear Paw mountains where many memories were made. In his younger days on the farm, picking rock was the job at hand, but for Nick the biggest concern was when we would eat lunch. He would leave with the family and barely round the corner to leave Kremlin before asking what was in the lunch box and when we were going to eat. Later years would find him on combine or truck, but lunch usually remained a priority. At the cabin there never seemed to be enough firewood, so Nick would spend free days gathering and stacking wood to be ready for the next good times with friends or family.  He loved being in the fresh air and even spent nights out in the open air there.

Nick loved his little sisters and had an uncanny way of convincing the oldest one of just about anything growing up. His sister Bri and he were making mud pies at Grandma Joyce's house as they often did and Nick convinced her that if she ate the dirt it would turn to chocolate in her mouth. Boy was she disappointed when she found out he tricked her, but he sure was proud of himself. Even after this, her trust did not waiver in her big brother. This was clearly evident when he was also able to convince her during bathtime that when her hair fell out in the tub, it turned to sharks and those sharks were going to eat them.

He adored his baby sister, Jazlyn, and affectionately nicknamed her "Bean." Nick was determined to teach her how to play poker, but she had other ideas for her big brother and she was usually the one to win out.  Once she was older, she became the gopher getting driver so Nick and "sissy Bri" could concentrate on shooting. They would be gone for hours and come back with the biggest smiles on their faces from having such a blast. Camping trips with Bean and Bri along with his Mom and stepdad Jim kept everybody going with Nick's contagious laugh over "fire roasted" Rocky Mountain hot dogs and flaming marshmallows.

Preceding Nick in death were his grandparents, Noel Preeshl and Keith and Marlene Donoven along with his Uncle Barry Donoven.  Nick was lucky enough to have his Grandma Joyce Preeshl still in his life providing great conversations, lunch dates, leftovers and a bent ear.

Along with his Grandma Joyce, carrying on his memory are his "Ma" Noela Donoven (Jim Young), father Brian (Patty) Donoven, sisters Brianna Donoven (Cloyde Johnson and son Eli) and Jazlyn Young (Jesse Skonberg), step sister Karlee (Coda) Tchida and family, step brother Matt (Jessica) Felt and family along with aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Cremation has taken place. Nick's memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2026, at the 5th Ave. Christian Church with Pastor Eddie Fallo officiating.  The family suggests memorials in Nick's honor be made to the Bear Paw Fire Department or to a charitable organization of your choice. Please visit Nick's online memorial page a www.hollandbonine.com to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family.

Services and arrangements entrusted to Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.