Nicholas James Kerwin, 62 of Powell WY, passed away on September 11, 2013 in Billings, MT.

Nick was born in Deadwood, SD on February 28, 1951. He was raised on the family ranch north east of Spearfish by his father Martin Kerwin with the help of family until Martin married Cora Stringham in 1960, which added stability to the life of Nick and his siblings.

Nick helped on the ranch and was very good working the cattle, horses and farming chores. He enjoyed 4-H, winning an award at the state fair in a program where the boys dressed as girls and the girls as boys that was a big hit. He also enjoyed playing football in high school where he was named to the All Conference team as a senior. Family was a big part of his life and holidays were always a big part of family life. The many cousins could always find ways to entertain each other.
After high school Nick went to mechanic school and then came back to Spearfish to help his parents at the Bonanza Service Station. He left Spearfish and went to Casper, WY where he met and married Patricia Welborn, Jan 3, 1976. They added 2 sons to this union, James and Travis. From Casper they went to Powell, WY. Nick worked many jobs from the oil fields, to the Underground Nuclear Testing Site in Nevada and finally becoming an over- the- road truck driver. This was something he really enjoyed. He traveled many miles and he even won the Wyoming Truck Drivers Rodeo in 1995, and participated in the national competition - something that he was most proud of accomplishing. He continued to drive truck until a lengthy illness of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and cancer made it hard for him to continue to do so.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Patricia Kerwin of Powell; sons, James of Powell and Travis of Cedar Rapids, IA, grandchildren, Ashton (12) and Mya (4). The mother who raised him, Cora Kerwin Verhulst of Spearfish; siblings, Jeannette Flager , Pat Kerwin and Kellie Kerwin, all of Pomona, KS, May-Lynn (Howard) Hall of Baker, MT, Kim (Mark) Ginsbach and Janet Kerwin of Spearfish; step-siblings, LaVea Verhulst, Paul (Laura) Verhulst, Clark (Cindy) Verhurlst, Zane (Janet) Verhulst, Harley (Ronda) Verhulst and Lance (Daina ) Verhulst; aunts , Iola Langley and Beverley Valdez and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his dad, Martin Kerwin, stepfather Peter Verhulst, brother, Tony Kerwin , brother–in-law, Max Flager, sister-in-law, Isabel Kerwin, niece, Valami Kerwin, great-niece Amber Lynn Hall, great-nephew Ruger Custer.

Nick will be greatly missed for his big smile and hardy laughter and for his teasing ways to everyone he met.

Memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the Rosehill Cemetery in Spearfish at 10am on October 13. Following this short service there will be an open house to share stories and fellowship at his mother, Cora Verhulst's home. All are welcome to come and help celebrate a great life cut too short.