Corvallis – Alice Nielsen Muir passed away April 8, 2020, at her home at the age of 88. Alice was born in Jackson, Minnesota, to Walter and Anna Nielsen. Baptized and confirmed and married at the Union State Line Lutheran Church, in Petersburg, MN. She attended grade school in Petersburg and then went on to high school in Jackson, MN, where she met her future husband, Alan Muir. After graduating from high school in 1950, Alice and Alan were married on Feb. 4, 1951. The two started farming in Minnesota and Iowa for a few years. Their first child, Danny, was born Feb. 1, 1954, and then a daughter, Peggy, joined in on Nov. 8, 1957, to make their family complete. Alice and Alan moved to Montana in 1959, where they found their love of cattle ranching. They started their own commercial cattle ranch, located between Victor and Corvallis, in 1965. Then from 1971-1976 they managed the Trapper Peak Ranch in Darby. When that ranch sold, they started the 4M Angus Ranch, north of Corvallis, where they raised registered Angus cattle.
Alice was a true rancher’s wife. She could drive tractor all morning for a large haying crew, then have a big lunch ready for them at noon time.
Alice would ride horseback to move cattle and she could doctor and nurse calves back to health. She knew how to build good fences and change pipes. She even sold real estate for a few years. The summer vacations were pack trips into the wilderness. The whole family, and later on just her and Alan, would ride into the lakes up the East Fork and into the Pintlars. She loved to fish those lakes.
Alice also loved her flowers and garden. She could grow beautiful flowers and had lots of them. More than anything, Alice loved her family. She hardly ever missed a sporting event of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She traveled to football, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball and rodeos. Alice had the warmest smile and kindest heart and loved to spend time with family anytime she could.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Alan; her parents, nine brothers and sisters, and their spouses. She is survived by her son, Danny (Kathy) Muir of Stevensville; and daughter, Peggy (Larry) Trexler of Hamilton; five grandchildren, Jade (Keri) Muir, Joc (Jamie) Muir and James (Hillary) Muir, Reed (Kari) Trexler and Karri (Dusty) Miles; 12 great-grandchildren, Brittani, Peyton and Daniel, Lauren and Leah, Bristol, James and Jax Muir, Cole and Cash Trexler, and Hailey and Wyatt Miles; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Alice’s faith in God was very important to her. She loved the old-time classic hymns. Pastor Paul Anderson brought such great joy and fun to her in her last months.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Faith Lutheran Church, 171 Lewis Lane, Hamilton MT 59840. A memorial service will be held at a later date due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Condolences made by left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com .