Nathan A. Nieber

Nathan, It's been 7 years now....and I still miss you as much, if not more. Went to your gravesite, and there was evidence that others still remember you, too.

As you watch us from heaven, I hope you see your wonderful nephew Samuel Nathan...he's such a good fellow. I wish he knew you... you would have been a wonderful role model for him.. you two would have fun together.

Love to you, my boy...

Dear Nate,

I'm sure it is hard for your family and friends to find things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving day. You and Tiff were suppose to be here with us to celebrate. As I was thinking about you this morning, I realized how much I do have to be thankful for. You brought so much to so many peoples' lives. God created you in such a magnificient way. He knew before you took your first breath just how many days you had here on earth. You lived life to the fullest. You didn't live in fear, but went out to conquer. Tiffany learned how to love, without fear of commitment, because of you. Now she is having to learn how to be strong, and she is doing it. People who never met you are hearing stories about you, and learning lessons from you. You are home now, your journey there was a good one.

Nate, your family and friends have been so good to keep in touch with Tiff. (Thanks to all of you.)

Love,

Mom Beckler

Nate,

It took me awhile to write this to you because I haven't been able to come up with exactly what I wanted to tell you. I want you to know how much you meant to Shaunna and me. Every moment with you was a good one. I remember everything from the first time I met you and you blew me off to the last time we talked and you asked me to be in your wedding. I remember when we were late for drill and we accidently switched Dog tags. We didn't realize it for a few days either. The last time I broke my nose was with you...you broke it! I won't be letting that go anytime soon. I wrote Darrin an email the night before I flew home to say goodbye. Below is what I told him that night. It is the best way I know to tell you what you mean to me. I will struggle without and never forget you. You are truely the greatest, and I miss you.







Darrin,



It is the first night knowing about Nate's death, and all I have been able to do today is struggle through the tears and the memories running through my head. First let me say, that if this is a horrible dream, may God stop it any time. I don't really know what to do with my thoughts right now so I'm writting you because you are one of the few people that will be able to understand the words I'm writting.



Nathan Nieber....what can I begin to say. Friend, brother, soldier, person to lean on, mentor, and love of Tiffany's life. I swear I will never know a man like him again. He was the type of guy that made people proud to do whatever it is they do. He didn't die for his country....instead he lived everyday serving it proudly! I never got to a point or in a situation that I couldn't ask Nate for help or advise. He was always there.



I think about all of the times we had. I remember when I first met him and he shut the door in my face. I remember when he made 1LT. I remember all of the card games with Kasberg and the crew. Remember when I lost like 200.00 to Sack and no one would let me play. I remember his laugh and joking as we talked about all of our favorite Thompson stories. I remember watching all of us going through PL validation. Nate used to come down to LaCrosse and visit me while I was in college. We would go to a bar on Tuesday nights and sing Kareoke together. I remember singing the Giligan's Island theme song with him....we did lots of stupid stuff like that just cause it was fun. I remember him telling me about the big fight about you and him seeing Blackhawk Down without Bob or maybe it was the other way around. Either way, Nate thought it was great that we could all have those times. I remember him telling me that he only had one EIB station left and the grader was you. He didn't want it that way because if he failed he would have let you down, but if you let him slide he would have to live with never having really earned the EIB. That left him with only one choice...doing it right. He was really nervous about that. I remember Gowan field together and all of the times together up late in Kastberg's TOC. I think we had more fun there than running missions.



The worst night of my life is when PFC Michael David died from a bullet to the neck. Nate, you, and Thompson drove down to be with me the next morning. I will never forget Nate and you telling me what really had happened that night, and how proud of me you both were. That meant more than anything else. I swear I can still hear his voice right now. I don't think anything compares to the hurt and lose I feel when I think that I won't get to see his ugly smile again. Remember his Bechewy chomp smile? I can't forget it.



Tiffany, what can I ever say to that girl. She was the only person I ever watched Nate look at with awe. She did an amazing thing to him. She made him happy and complete without changing him. Nate was still Nate with Tiffany. He was just better. I've never seen someone so confident about anything as he was about her. May God bless and take care of her through all of this.



Right now, I hurt.....I can't really figure out what to make of Nate being gone. It will get easier to deal with after time, I'm sure. I can't see that right now. All I can do right now is cry. I miss that guy. I hear him yelling, "KNOCK!" on a 2 and 3 with only two cards in the hand just cause he wants to see if your cards are worse than his. I see a person that was confident and strong.



I guess I will never forget Nate. I'm not supposed to have to remember him. I'm supposed to call him and ask him what he's doing on Friday. That is the part that get tough from here.



The last thing that Nate and I talked about was a unit in our mind. How great it could be. The MN Army National Guard with LTC Nathan Nieber as the BC. MAJ Darrin Janisch as the XO, and the branch transfer CPT Steven Rulli as a Company Commander or MAJ Steven Rulli as the S3. Man, that unit would kick ass! That was the last thing we talked about. After he asked me to be in the sabre arche at his wedding. Darrin, I'm going to miss him!



Saturday my flight comes in to MN at 1608hrs. I'm bringing my "A"s if you need me for anything. I would like to be part of saying goodbye to my friend. Let me know how I can help. Thanks for being there for Shaunna and me. You and Anne are two rocks for us to rest on right now, and I feel like I should be there for you.



I love you like only a brother could.



Your Friend,



Steve



Nate, take care. I will see you again my friend. Please cover my "6" until then. Hope I don't let you down. I'm a better man today for having you in my life.



"We started out as total strangers and ended up lifelong friends. We shared a season of our lives together, but every season ends"



Till we see eachother again. I love ya, buddy.



Your Friend,

Steve and Shaunna

I was very sad to hear the news of my childhood best friend. Nathan lived down the street from me in College Station, Texas. We did everything together as kids.. From riding bikes, to swimming in the pool, to building forts in our bedrooms, and throwing stuffed animals at each other, and jumping on the trampoline with soap on it. It was always just go go go for the both of us. We played soccer together, walked to school together, and talked everyday. I can remember the time when Nathan said he was moving.. We were in a bunch of bushes making a fort. (we were always making a fort) He told me that his father got a teaching job in Minn. I was very sad that he was moving. I knew that we would keep in touch and we did over the years. When Nathan moved he and I would take turns flying up and down to see each other. One summer we went on a canoe trip down Snake River. I think that was the last time I saw him..

As we got older we lost touch with each other. After high school I move to Huntington, WV and attended Marshall University. I graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and now am living in Lexington, KY. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of Nathan in some way.. The times we spent together were wonderful, and I will never forget them. Over the past year I got on the Internet and tried to find his number or address, I could not find anything. I just wanted to call and see how things are going and talk about the times we shared when we were little.

Benji, Katie and Chris, we all had fun together too and I’m very sorry about Nathan. Your brother was a very special friend to me. The times that we spent together will never leave my mind; he was the best friend a boy could ever have…….. I’ll miss him….

Dear Nathan: We barely knew you. You were a busy little boy with a head full of wild, wavy brown hair. You looked just like your mother at that age. When you were six, your mom put you on an airplane in Texas with your name and address pinned to your shirt. Aunt Joan, Erik and Joy met you at our airport in Connecticut. The flight attendent tried to give us another kid, as well. You spent a week with your cousins. We spent afternoons swimming at the Cove, we visited your grandparents, and had a great time.

Time and distance had their way. You were 14 when we all gathered to celebrate your grandparents' 60th. wedding anniversary. It was quite an afternoon, there were a hundred friends, relatives and former neighbors to see. You, Ben, Kate and Chris can be seen, flashing through our videotape of the occassion. You were 24 when Joy and I came out to Lindstrom to celebrate your grandfather's 92nd. birthday. We sat around a table over drinks at our hotel, the evening we arrived. I remember the pleasure I felt as Joy became re-acquainted with her cousin. I sensed the pride in your mom.

You became a remarkable person in a short time. You touched many lives and accomplished much. Those of us you left behind have a lot to celebrate and a lot to miss. When he learned of your accident and death, your cousin Erik said that he felt cheated, not having known you better. You and Joy were born a month apart; I know she carries a great sense of loss.

The world, and our lives are richer, because of your presence. We are proud of the boy you were, and the young man you became.



Uncle Steve

Nathan,

I miss you so much! I remember the first time I met Tiffany, you two were headed to the river. When I first saw her, I thought to myself, wow, they really click! I remeber how you introduced me to her, This is Megan, he's like my little sister. Then you picked me up with one arm and spun me through the air. You made me feel so special. I just wanted to say, I really miss you and that I can't wait to see you again. I have thought about you so much and how much you accomplished in the amount of time you were here. I only wish and strive to be like you. You will always be like a brother to me. Miss you! -Love Megan

Neighborhood,



There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about you. I keep seeing that grin on your face and all I can do is laugh. When you come home with that tooth gone it made it even better. You made us all proud of your military career. I never really got to see the military Nathan. By the sounds of it he was one hell of a soldier. When Neighborhood was around us he was pretty laid back and enjoyed life to the fullest. We spent many night's and weekend's chasing after "Catfish Hunter". We could not catch a damn thing, yet still have a great time. That is what I'm truely going to miss, my catfishing buddy, my brother. But I guess he is onto bigger rivers now and hopefully someday I will get the chance to fish with him again.



When we were younger I was the one with the girlfriend and Niehgborhood was not. He alway's said that there's nobody out there that meets his standards. I said someday a doe will walk in front of you and it will be all over! Well that someday did happen. I had never seen Neighborhood talk about girl like he did about Tiff. The more he talked about her the more I could see he was falling head over heels. When Neighborhood called me from Ranger School and ask if I would be his best man. I asked if the sleep depravation was getting to him! I was honored that he would ask me. I may have lost one friend but I gained another. Without Neighborhood I would have never met Tiffany. We are alway's here if you need us Tiffany.



I hope we can live our lives and make you proud Neighborhood. You will never be forgotten. We will keep fishing for that big cat and reminisce about all the great thing's we rember about you. The next generation will get to know Uncle Neighborhood!

Mary and John,

As you know, I have never met Nathan, as we all went on with our lives after we graduated from high school, but as a mother myself, I cannot fathom the loss that you face at this time. I know how proud you are of him, and always will be. I have read the entries to this guest book, to get some sense of the man who IS your son Nathan. He was a fine man, obviously, and that is in no small part because of the parents he had. I always admired you both, Mary for your wonderful way with people and your immeasurable musical talent and John, for all of the math papers you let me copy from in high school. You both are special people and that is why God blessed you with Nathan and your other wonderful children. The apple NEVER falls far from the tree. Please know that I love you both, and than my prayers are filled with wishes for your comfort and knowledge that Nathan is alright. Take care of yourselves.

You know that your NLCS friends are there for you, always.

Tina

Our many thoughts and prayers are with you, Tiffany, and with Nathan's family and your family.



Please remember these special words to the chorus of a song:

God is too WISE to be mistaken;

God is too GOOD to be unkind;

So when you don't understand,

When you can't see His plan,

When you can't trace His hand,

TRUST HIS HEART.



We ask that God will hold you in the palm of His hand and make His presence unmistakenly known to you.



With love and prayers,

My Ranger Buddy Nate:

For those of us that have had the honor and privilage to know and call Nate among our friends, we are the lucky few. Nate quickly became one of my best friends in life and the Military. He reminded me so much of myself at his age. Newly graduated from college, fiance', recently graduated Ranger School, Pathfinder, and earning his Expert Infantryman Badge, all these things are befitting a Man of his caliber. Nate, I talked to you just minutes before your death, and we were making plans for you to spend time with my family. I think you knew, but I wish I would have told you that you were like a brother to me, and I was proud to call you my friend. I will wear your POW/MIA Bracelet until the day I die, and you and I are re-united as Ranger Buddies once again. Nate...as in life, your death has impacted on me in ways only you can now understand. I will miss you very much...

Your Friend Forever,

Bob

Nate,

The last time I wrote you a note you were at Ranger school. Ashley would sit at the kitchen table and color pictures for her boyfriend, Nate. Our daughter, Ashley, now asks when Nate will be home. It is so hard for a 3 year old to understand that you are in heaven with the angels. She misses you a lot. Our son, Spencer, did not get the chance to know you like his big sister, but I know Ashley will fill him in. It has been only a couple years that you came into our lives. One day you came over with a wonderful woman named Tiffany. Oh how happy you looked when you two were together. I always knew she was the perfect woman for you. I would ask Bob every once in a while when you were going to ask Tiffany to marry you. It was so exciting to hear the news you bought a ring for her. You made Tiffany very happy the day you proposed. I am thankful you brought a great friend into my life. There must be a reason why you had to go to heaven so early in life, but I can't figure out why. One day we will all know the reason when we meet you in heaven. I'm glad to know there is someone as special as you watching over us. God Bless. I will miss you Nate!

Love, Heather Intress

To the Nieber Family and Tiffany,

My sympathy and love goes out to you. Nate was a class act and will be sorely missed by all. I feel so fortunate to have been able to get to know such a strong, yet gentle man. Nate will never be forgotten. May God continue to watch over you, strengthen and guide you through this time of grief. You will remain in my prayers and thoughts.

With Love, Sarah

To 1LT Nieber's Family and Tiffany Watson and your family, I'm sorry for your loss. I hope my prayers can help. In the short time that I knew Nathan we quickly became good friends. I aspect he did that a lot with people. When I first meet him I hadn’t heard of all the hype about Ranger School. I thought he was just going to be another arrogant officer moving through the Recon Platoon using it as a stepping-stone to bigger things. I remember telling SFC Nett that I didn’t know how to take the new Platoon Leader. I looked across the Drill floor and he was teaching my soldiers essential combat tasks. And again I thought to myself he’s doing my job I better get with the program here. After months of training for our two weeks at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas I realized that we were in good hands. I was wrong about him just moving though but he was still a little arrogant and so was I. One day in Ft Ripley we were watching soldiers walking around lost in the woods, I had a chance to talk to 1LT Nieber. We talked about Tiffany. For the first time he appeared human and full of emotions not the mechanical warrior I had come to know. He talked about marriage and kids. He couldn’t stop talking about the way you drove him crazy. I felt like I knew you and sadly we have not had a chance to meet. I recently got married. Nathan and you had plans to come to the wedding. I remember when he told me that he had asked you to marry him. He had that “shit eating,” grin on his face. That face that ever solider gets when they talk about having something that is worth more to them than life itself. Something worth living for, something worth dieing for. I was inviting him to my wedding and he was inviting me to his. Annual Training at Ft. Chaffee was the most grueling A.T. that I have ever had but no matter what happened I knew that 1LT Nieber would take care of us. Once I watched him trip and fall down a rocky cliff with 100 lbs. rucksack on his back. Head over heels and he popped up with out a scratch. I thought he was invincible. I use to joke with him about wearing a red cape and blue tights with an “S” tattooed on he chest. He pushed us farther than we thought possible. Nathan made people around him the best that they could be. His can do attitude was infectious. His presence will be missed but his spirit is stronger than ever. I wish he would have worn his blue suit on that dark July day or that I could have been there to watch over him like he use to do for us and now will for eternity. We miss you Sir. Recon leads the way. God bless the Nieber and Watson family and keep them safe and close to your love. SSG Becker, Brian R.

Nate-

Although I wasn't fortunate enough to ever meet you, I feel like I know you like an old friend through all the funny stories Tiff has told me from time to time..Especially when you two first met, I don't think I will ever forget that one! Nate, to tell you the truth when Tiff called me that day and asked me to be her maid of honor, I was a little jealous of you. I felt like I was going to lose a best friend(you know how girls are)! But then i thought to myself, "No Meredith you are gaining another great friend and wonderful person in your life!" I was so so happy for you two! I had never seen that girl so crazy over someone in my life!

I know that you are taking care of things up there and i just want you to know that i will try my hardest everyday to take care of things down here for you.

Meredith

Our first conversation was by phone, the second by mail, and the third was in person. All three conversations centered around Ranger School. In the letter that I sent you I stated "In closing, remember Ranger School will be over in 63 days which is less than a fraction of the rest of your life. Soon you will be home and held to the Ranger standard. Your PLT needs you at Annual Training 13 Jun 98." You were back sooner than expected your first try at Ranger School, but I guess you showed the Ranger gods the second time around. I read that letter over and over....

It was an honor to be at your Ranger graduation and watch the influence you had on other soldiers.

I will never forget your toothless smile. I was a little bummed out when you told me you got that thing permanently replaced. I will also cherish the times at Bravo Company 2-135 Infantry (M). You were the leader that every commander wishes they had. You always influenced the people that were around you.

I know that life goes on but I want you to know that you will NEVER be forgotten. You are a true warrior Nate.



"RANGERS LEAD THE WAY"



Peace to my friend

Dear Aunt Mary, Uncle John, Katie, Ben, Chris, and Tiffany,



Please know that my thoughts are with you in this great time of loss. Although it has been years since I have seen you and since I last saw Nathan the memories come flooding back along with extreme sadness knowing he is now gone. This is perhaps another example of the strong impression he leaves on all those whose lives he has touched.



Please take care.

Love, Erik

(cousin)

It will be a year in August that Tiffany brought you home to meet us. Most parents think there isn't anyone good enough for their little girl...you were! Though your time here was too short to get to know you well, we did through Tiffany, and even more so when we met your family and friends and heard all their wonderful stories of you. When you left, I hugged you and told you to take care of Tiffany...you did. I'm thankful for what the two of you shared. You brought many fantastic people into Tiffany's life, and they are continuing to help you take care of her.

When you asked for Tiffany's hand in marriage there was no hesitation with our answer. We were thrilled for both of you. There is no understanding God's reasoning for not allowing your plans to go forth, but there is God promise that those who believe in Him will be united with Him someday, we'll see you then Nate.

Love,

Mom and Dad Beckler

Hey buddy-

It's been 3 weeks now since you last kissed me goodbye on my way to work. I relive that moment every day. I think about the first time we talked at the YMCA and I was stumbling over every word because I was so nervous. I think about how excited and scared I was to greet you last June upon your return from Kuwait, but then it felt as if we were never apart. And what about the time you threw me into the river with all my clothes on. You'll always be in trouble for that one. The best memory I have is the day you asked me to spend the rest of my life with you. I never knew I was capable of loving someone so intensely. You made me love myself more than I ever had. Over a short year-and-a-half you became my best friend and other half. I loved how you took care of me and protected me. I'll never regret letting myself depend on you so much because it felt so perfect, but I have to admit that it's pretty scary now without you here. Thank you so much for bringing such wonderful people into my life. Your family and friends who have become my family and friends over time and even just recently are all very loving and supportive. They check up on me and ask how I'm doing. I never really know how to answer that one.



Nate, you will always be a part of me. I want so badly to make you proud of me. I love you with all my heart.

I met you one night for the first time on the rifle range at Ripley. You were the "new" PL in the company and I think it shocked you a bit that a Staff Sergeant was the other platoon leader. I remember you and I talking about Ranger school and how upset you were that you had not finished it. I remember that was our first conversation in many to follow. I told you that Ranger school didn't make good Officers or soldiers, leaders did. I take no credit though for the Officer you became because you did it all on your own. I just stood back with pride in that fact that I was lucky enough to serve with you. In a very short time we became friends and were on a first name basis. I called you "Sir", and you called me "Sergeant". I remember when I got back from OCS and got my commission the first time I called you "Nate". We both paused, looked at each other because it was so weird, and then broke out laughing. It still took you awhile to call me by my first name though and I used to bug you about it. I sit here today and think about you and remember all of the good times that you and I shared. Being fired almost every drill by CPT Kastberg and then being rehired again as we both got up to leave the meeting. You taking your tooth out and showing it to CPT Kastberg because you knew it drove him nut's and always, always, "Nieber, put that damn tooth back in!". I was sad the day you got your permanent tooth because we had to find something else to bother him with. I remember all the long nights in the field talking about this and that, the rain, the mud, no sleep, our soldiers. I remember the nights of cards and staying up too late, just living life and having fun. The jokes, the movie lines, how it made both the CPT's mad that you never smiled during drill unless you were around me because we made each other laugh and could relax around each other. I remember our disappointment on not being able to go to the same location on deployment, but we talked on e-mail and by phone and it was great to hear your voice. I remember you staying over night at our new house and having all the M&M's disappear...and the chip bag seem so much lighter. I remember some of the great fashion statements you made (The ALL ARMY outfit comes to mind with the handsomely shines boots). I could go on and on about all the things I remember about you Nate, but most of all I'll always remember that you were my friend, my buddy and my teacher. I may have been the grisled old veteran the night we first met, but I often wonder who was teaching who. I think you probably taught and inspired me more than I ever did you.



I will miss you my friend.

we're so sorry to hear of your loss. we have also lost a child and know of the many difficult days ahead that you face. you will be in our prayers.

To Nate's family and friends: May the peace of God which passes all understanding be in your hearts and minds. May God comfort you and cause memories of Nate to become even more precious as time goes on.

Dear friends of Nathan,

A friend of mine told me about this site on the web. Thank you all for your loving words and condolences. Hearing how Nathan impacted your lives gives some comfort to my soul. He was such a loving, caring son. He always made us proud. Yes, he did cause trouble at times, but never in a mean way...just the way kids do. Please encourage others to log on, and make entries. God bless you all, and please continue to pray for our family.



Fondly, Mary

We were lucky to have met Nate through a mutual friend. Our prayers and thoughts are with family/friends during this time.

To the Nieber family, friends, and Tiffany,



I was very fortunate to have known Nate when he was in the Rochester area. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. He was a smart, charming, and vibrant person. To Tiffany, words cannot express how many times I have thought of you and how much you are hurting. Rod told me how happy you and Nate were and how when he told you he loved you he cried. I know how special you two were together and may God we with all of you during this hard time. Nate was a wonderful person and his memory will be alive forever.



God's Blessings to you all.



Sincerely,

Karen Roloff

A man that I truly admired with all my heart and soul...my thoughts and prayers are with you!

To Nathan's Friends and Family,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Nathan and I were in the same German class in high school. I remember the humor and enthusiasm he brought to class every day. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

My deepest sympathy goes out to the friends and family of Nate. Your in my prayers.

I met Nathan in the winter of 1996 through my friend Brendon Kryzer at the U of M. Nathan struck me right away as my kind of guy, he loved the Simpsons, Beer, Star Wars and Video Games...he was always quick with a joke and could make you laugh at anything. We moved in with Brendon for a short time in 1997. Those were some of the best times of my life. We would stay up late playing Killer Instinct on the Super Nintendo after going to the bar. We would watch bad 80's movies like Teen Wolf and being the only two single guys in the house were comrades in our search for girlfriends, we quoted our favorite Simpsons and Seinfeld lines for almost any occasion. He always amazed me with his prolific eating prowess. A favorite Nieber story was one time we went to Arby's during their 5 for $5 Roast Beef sale, we pulled up to the drive thru window. Nathan ordered 5 for 5, assuming we would share (who can eat 5 Arby's???) he turned and looked at me and said "What will you have?" We proceeded home and he managed to eat all five before I had finished eating half of my second. Like others have said, he drifted in and out my life as duty called and he moved on to bigger and better things. But, any time we saw each other in the last five years he would come up and give me a big hug...he was a friend for life and I was shocked and deeply saddened upon hearing the tragic news.



Nathan truly was a special person and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him and whose lives he touched I know I will.



"And wherever you've gone...and wherever we might go...It don't seem fair...today just disappeared. Your light's reflected now...reflected from afar...We were but stones...your light made us stars." E.V.

My deepest sympathy to all of you. I know the pain of the loss of a child as I too have experienced the same. My daughter, Michelle, was friends with Chris and swam with Katie on the Chisago Swim Team. I offer my deepest condolences and a listening ear. Please feel free to contact me if you'd like to talk, I'm available 24/7 (651) 257-8620. God's Blessings to all of you.

Sincerely,

Ann

To the family, friends and loved ones of Nathan Nieber,



As a former CLHS Class of 1994 Graduate, I would like to express my sincere condolences to all of you. Nate was an extremely nice man and I feel honored to have had the opportunity to know him, if only for a while. He will be missed dearly. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.

I trained with him in 1998 during Annual Training in his platoon, and then saw him occasionally at the U of MN. I was with him in the training up for and deployment to the SW Asia mission with the B. Co. 2/135 unit. He really was a first rate officer, and exemplified what a true Army Officer is. There were none finer. The MN Army National Guard has lost a great leader. He will be missed.

Spc Kevn L Westrom

(formerly A. Co 2/135 Inf)

Words can not express to Nate's family, fiance and friends how deeply sorry I am for our loss. God gave me the extreme honor and pleasure to share a part of Nate's all-too-short life as a roommate and as a friend. While our encounters were few and far between over the past three years, I have always considered Nate a friend...and will always be grateful to the Lord for the time He allowed me to spend with Nate. May God ease all of our pain and grief.

I was a teammate of Nate's for many years on the Chisago Lakes High School swim team. He is a good friend and I will miss him very much.

My condolences to his family.



Bryan Kruger

I was very sorry to hear of Nate's passing, and I want to express my condolences to his family, fiancé, and friends.



I lived with Nate for two years when we were in college, and he, Dave, Matt, Brian, and I shared many experiences as a family of friends. Though the experiences we share now are less frequent, Nate will never be absent from them.



I have been told that at times like these, it is important to focus on the good times and positive experiences shared with the deceased. I am very fortunate to say it could not be any other way for myself--when Nate was with you, there never a bad time or negative experience to be had. I will miss him dearly.

I am Dorothy and Irve Lecy's oldest grand daughter. My grandparents went to your church in Lindstrom. When I heard "Nieber" on the news, I told my mom that Grandma had "Nieber's" that went to her church. I use to swim in their pool in Lindstrom with his sister, Katie. It's such a small world out there. Our prayers are with your family.

God Bless.

I started working with 1LT Nieber in June 2000. I am the Supply SGT for B Company in Rochester. We worked together to prepare our unit to deploy to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. I was inspired and looked up to him. He has accomplished so much at a young age. He was one of the best officers that I have ever met.

Assigned to find a roommate for our U of M off-campus house in the summer of 2000, I placed an ad and waited for a stream of applicants to call.

A few callers came in for a face-to-face interview. One had purple hair, the other sported 15 rings in his face. Then this clean cut, muscular guy shows up and introduces himself as Nathan Nieber.

He seemed okay to me and the other roommates liked him upon their meeting.

And that's how Nate came into the lives of the guys at 920-18th Avenue.

Five of us lived in the house, and though lineups were mixed and matched, the group of myself, Nate, Matt, Todd and Brian spent 11 great months together.

Nate and I were about the same age, and both of us got engaged in 2002. When I saw him at his mother's on June 2, he looked like a man whose best days were not only ahead of him, but enveloping him.

He finished his degree and put a ring the woman he planned to be with forever. And he would have been.

Nate was a straight-shooting, no B.S. kind of guy. I respected and always appreciated that.

I'll miss Nathan Nieber, but I wouldn't trade the hurt for never meeting him at all.

Thanks for the memories. God Bless you Tiff.

Nate was one of my brother's best friends and because of this I was fortunate enough to share in his life. I recently read a passage by Friedrich Schiller that reminded me of Nate's heartbreaking passing- The One remains, the many change and pass, Heaven's light forever shines, earth's shadow's fly; Life like a dome of many-colored glass, Stains the white radiance of Enternity.

As I grow older I will remember to keep Nate transfixed memory in my heart, which like the rest of the world had been forever changed with his insight, laughter, and love.

Nate was an outstanding and very professional person to have served with. I
am grateful for the time I served with him, and he will be truly missed. He
was a great Lt. and I was always glad he was on our side. Our sympathies,
thoughts, and love go to his family and all of his loved ones. This photo
is one of my memories of when we served together in Kuwait. "To the Ridge
Sir..."


Respectfully, PSG Bud Janzen and family.

Dearest Mary..Our love comes to you this day and our prayers are with you and your entire family as you experience the grief of Nate's death. Please know that you are SO loved by so many in the UEC Community and that many of us are with you in our hearts and prayers, although we may not be able to be by your side. May you feel the loving touch of God's arms around you each day. Your brother & sister in Him....Jim & Jeanie

I AM VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT NATHAN. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU!

LOVE,KIM

Dear Family and Friends of Nate,



My heart goes out to all of you as I know the loss of our friend Nate is truly tragic. I have known Nate since 1996. We went to OCS together, and I can honestly say I have known no finer officer or person than Nathan Nieber. He was an example that every person could be proud to follow. He always did a better job than expected and went the extra mile. He's one of those people you knew you could count on and who made everyone around him better just by his presence. I am proud to have known him and truly saddened that he is gone. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Mary, We pray the loving arms of God surround you. He is your strength & your fortress. Lean on Him. We love you in Christ.

Dear Aunt Mary, Uncle John, Katie, Ben, Chris, and Tiffany,



All of my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time - Love, Joy

Nate was Bryan's swimming competitor and a great friend to both of us in high school. He was high-spirited and lived life to its fullest; he will be missed



Bryan and Dan Kruger and family

All of my prayers are with you! Nate was a very special person!

We are sorry for this unexpected loss in your lives. We feel proud to have known Nate as a friend and will remember him for the good times he has brought to our lives Our thoughts and prayers are with you Tiffany and Nate's family.

Our hearts go out to you at this time. Prayers for all of your family and Tiffany. Bonnie and Frank Zeller

To Nathan's family, and especially his mother Mary,

Wprds cannot express the shock and sadness we felt for you when we realized this must be your son, your shining star, your friend. I only hope your faith will hold you up, since you, more than anyone, know that God is always with you and you can cry out to Him. And He can understand the loss of a son more than anyone. I cannot imagine the pain you are going through. We have missed you so much since you moved. My mom is a member of Centennial, and I know that church, your former Lindstrom church and all Christians who have heard of the accident are praying for you. May God literally hold you up during this time and carry you through this.

There is so much to celebrate about Nathan's life, but that cannot take away the pain of losing him.

Sue Landgraff and family.