Nicholas Van Pelt

Minot

Msgt Nicholas ‘Nick’ McLeod Van Pelt, 41, Minot, died December 24, 2023. Nick was a native of Ringgold, Georgia, and a graduate of Ringgold High School.

Nick is survived by his children, his pride and joy: Kaedance McLeod Van Pelt, Ameri Lynn Van Pelt and Andrew Nicholas Van Pelt. He is also survived by his former wife, Nikki Haas Van Pelt; his parents, Ralph Van Pelt, Jr. (Beth Peters) and Cynthia Anne McLeod (Donald Highfield); his sister Kathleen Van Pelt Davis (Spencer); stepsisters Amanda Gamsby and Heather Highfield; uncles Charles McLeod (Lisa) and Keith McLeod; mother and father-in-law Teresa and Ron Barrette; sisters-in-law Christina Latendresse (Chase) and Jessica Klug (Matthew); brother-in-law Paul Barrette (Ashlynn); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by many friends who became family while serving in the military and as a law enforcement officer.

Nick enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduation in 2001 and was then stationed in Minot, North Dakota. His overseas deployments included bases in South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Kyrgyzstan. He joined the North Dakota Air National Guard in 2009 where he served as a Master Sergeant in the 219th Security Forces Squadron. Nick was proud to be a Hooligan.

In 2018 Nick graduated from the North Dakota Police Academy and pursued his career in Law Enforcement, a dream of his since he was a little boy. He was hired by the Ward County Sheriff’s Department as a patrol deputy, eventually making his way to becoming a part of the Drug Task Force. Nick worked as a Ward County sheriff’s deputy until May 2023, when he began working full time for the 219th.

A longtime resident of Minot, he became part of the fabric of the community as people appreciated his kindness and unique sense of humor. His three children were the lights of his life; his time with them was precious. No one gave better hugs than Nick.

Nick enjoyed hunting and fishing, gardening, cooking, a good party, and a great joke. He loved the Georgia Bulldogs and enjoyed watching them play with his son, Andrew. Blessed with the ability to talk to anyone, he made friends wherever he went, sometimes of the canine variety. His dog was a rescue he found while working on a case. The newly renamed “Kitty” was devoted to Nick, who nursed him back to health and spoiled him rotten.

The family very much appreciates the support from Nick’s Air Force family, all his former co-workers in the Ward County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minot community. Their shared memories and funny stories have been a light during this painful time, and a comfort for all who loved Nick.

Celebration of Life for Msgt Nicholas McLeod Van Pelt in Minot, ND: 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 5, 2024 at Our Redeemer’s Church, 700 16th Ave SE, Minot, ND 58701. Visitation: Friday, January 5, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service in the church. To view a livestream of the service or to share memories and condolences access his obituary at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

(Arrangements in the care of Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.)

Celebration of Msgt Nicholas McLeod Van Pelt in Ringgold, GA: 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2024 at the Catoosa County Colonnade, 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, GA 30736. Visitation: Friday, January 12, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service in the Colonnade.

(Arrangements in the care of Mason Funeral Home, Summerville, GA.

In lieu of plants and flowers Memorial donations are preferred to an organization of the donor’s choice in Nick’s memory.

Published by The Minot Daily News, January 2, 2023.