Janet Carole Nickoloff

Janet Wiser Nickoloff, 59, died Sunday, November 22, 2015, at her home in Billings. She was born September 30, 1956, in Butte, MT, a daughter of Donald and Ramona Wiser. She married Bob Nickoloff in 1987.

Janet graduated from Billings West High School in 1974 and the University of Montana in 1978. She received her Master of Education degree in August 1991. In November 2004, Janet became one of the first teachers in the State of Montana to become a National Board Certified Teacher from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Janet had a natural ability and passion for teaching. She began her teaching career in Fairfield, MT, as an English teacher 9-12 and Library Media Specialist K-12. She moved on as Library Media Specialist in Whitehall, MT, and Castle Rock Middle School and Newman Elementary School in Billings. In 1988, Janet joined the faculty at Riverside Middle School and worked there for 26 years, retiring in June 2014. She stayed at Riverside for so many years because she felt Riverside was a positive environment for kids and learning. She was very proud of being a member of the faculty, with a goal of instilling a love of reading and lifelong learning into her students' daily lives. Janet led, volunteered, and supported extra-curricular activities throughout her career, including coaching athletics (track, volleyball, basketball) and service clubs, such as Battle of the Books, Book Club, Knowledge Masters, Builders Club, and Chess Club. Her colleagues will tell you she made her library a homey, warm place for gatherings, reading, academics, and technology. She was instrumental in implementing a State-wide computer network to connect all school libraries in Montana. She also taught on-line Library Media courses for Montana State University.

Janet was a member of the Montana Library Association and served as Chair of several committees during her membership. She was a member of BEA/MEA/NEA. She loved reading, skiing, motorcycling, and dogs. There was never a dog that Janet didn't love, and she owned malamutes and huskies the majority of her adult life. She was also a volunteer for Eagle Mount.

There were three other joys in her life - her nieces, Lisa and Amanda Carlin, and her nephew, Max Marquis. She loved being with them, cheering them on with their activities, and supporting them in their life's goals.

Janet fought her battle with cancer twice. One of her friends deemed her "A Warrior." She maintained a positive attitude and never let it get her down. Her family would like to thank the many, many friends that supported and loved Janet. Our appreciation is deep.

She is survived by her brother Don Wiser (Myrna), her sisters Sandy Marquis (Dave), Laurie Carlin, her nieces and nephew, her Aunt Maureen Wiser, Uncle Ron Triner, and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Linda Susan Wiser Gartner, and her brother, Steven Ray Wiser.

Memorial services will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, November 28, 2015, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. A reception will follow at the Knights of Columbus.

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