Nicholas “Nick” Justin, 91, St. Stephen

December 23, 1924 - April 26, 2016

Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Nicholas “Nick” Justin, age 91, of St. Stephen, will be at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 29, 2016 at St. Stephen Catholic Church in St. Stephen. Fr. Robert Harren will officiate and burial will follow in the parish cemetery with full military honors. Nick passed away Tuesday morning at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud surrounded by family. There will be a visitation from 4:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, April 28, 2016 and again after 9:30 AM Friday morning, both at the St. Stephen Parish Hall in St. Stephen. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Miller-Carlin Funeral Home, St. Cloud.

Nick was born on December 23, 1924 to Anton and Johanna (Omann) Justin in St. Cloud. He was raised alongside his seven siblings and graduated from Tech High School in St. Cloud. Nick joined the United States military and proudly served his country with the Army with light artillery. On May 21, 1947, he married Dorothy Slivnik in St. Stephen and their union welcomed seven children. While raising their young family, they also ran a hobby farm near Rice, working the land and raising cattle. Nick enjoyed playing cards, especially cribbage, and visits to the casino. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. Nick ran the Pine Grove Bar in St. Stephen but worked most often as a painter and carpenter. He last worked for Warnert Construction for about 20 years prior to his retirement. He was a carpenter at heart, both on and off the job. He loved wood: cutting, creating, building. Nick liked to keep busy and could often be found fixing things, putzing around, and building wood structures like fish houses and furniture. He was a lifelong member of St. Stephen Parish, and an active member of the American Legion Post 221.

Nick is survived by his children Tom Justin, St. Stephen; Ron (LaVerne) Justin, Rice; Kevin Justin, St. Stephen; Dale (Renee) Justin, Brainerd; Mary (Kevin) Rieland, Becker; his brothers Will (Carol) Justin, St. Cloud and Clarence (Jeanette) Justin, St. Cloud; sister-in-law Mary Ann Justin, Little Falls; 16 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, as well as many other family and friends.

He is greeted in Heaven by Dorothy, his wife of 57 years, his parents Anton and Johanna, his son Bill, his infant daughter Sheila, his sister Evelyn Durfey, and his brothers Al, Leo, Ed, and Ben.