Nick Bernard Bellows

Nick was born as the youngest of three children to Bernard and Ellen (Field) Bellows on January, 2nd, 1949. His younger years were spent on his family farm in Eaton Rapids, MI where he formed countless fond memories about his cherished time there.

After graduating from Eaton Rapids High School, he continued his educational journey at Western Michigan University. Prior to graduation, Nick served in Vietnam as a paratrooper in the United States Army 101st Airborne Division; a service he was deeply proud of. Upon his return home, he resumed his education at Michigan State University, where he completed his bachelor's degree in Telecommunications. He then went on to obtain his law degree at Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan.

Throughout this time he also met the love of his life, Patricia (Husbeck) Bellows. He had seen her from afar in their apartment complex, and one day, tried his luck by offering to shovel her car out of a snow drift. She obliged, and it all worked out from there. They were married on December 21, 1975, and enjoyed 37 years of loving marriage until Patty’s passing in 2013.

In his career, Nick served as the CEO of the United Dairy Industry of Michigan before his retirement in the late 2000s. He was always proud of the type of work he did, as well as those with whom he worked. Most of his colleagues were friends and he truly valued his professional and personal relationships with them.

Nick had an incredible life and loved every single aspect and experience of his time on this earth. He loved sports, was an accomplished athlete, and always wanted to teach others the joys of the games he played. Nick was fiercely intelligent and an excellent storyteller, of which he had many. He was hilarious, in such an approachable and endearing way. He was disarming, always making those around him feel at ease, as though they were with a friend, even if they were a stranger. That is who Nick was to his core.

Nick is survived by his daughter Lauren (Michael) Schulte; grandchildren, Benjamin Schulte, Jonathan Schulte; sibling, Carol (Eldon) Wright. Outside of immediate family he is survived by other family he loved dearly; sister-in-law, Kayleen Bellows; nieces and nephews (and their children), Carmen (Mike) Ells, Coreen (Larry) Strzalka, Connie (Mark) Klaisner, Kyle Bellows; Schulte Family Crew, Janey Schulte, Stacey (George) Schulte, Alex Efstathiou, Jack Efstathiou, Matthew (Margaret) Schulte, Joseph Schulte, Anna Schulte, Christopher (Sara) Schulte, Mackenna Schulte, Caitlin Schulte; Newest and forever additions to the Bellows/Schulte family; Linda Brouwer, Alissa (Mark), Bobby (Laura); Pet Family, Otis Schulte (woof, thank you for always letting me keep your feet warm).

Every single day is a gift. Be kind to each other and love hard.

A funeral service for Nick will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11:00am with a visitation one hour prior at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave. East Lansing, MI 48823. Interment to follow at East Lawn Memory Gardens.