A Valley City native, Robert Nix was born on March 12, 1945, and passed away on May 28, 2026.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM on Friday, June 5, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 3117 E Century Ave, Bismarck, ND.

A visitation will start at 11 AM on Friday, June 5, at Eastgate Funeral Service, and will continue until service.

Burial will be held at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Steele, ND with dinner to follow at Steele Veterans Club.

Robert dedicated his life to his roles as an educator, farmer, and rancher. As a young man, he enjoyed riding motorcycles and developed a deep passion for horsemanship, earning national recognition for his Arabian stallion, Bu-Mon-Rob.

He served as a vocational educator for 20 years at the North Dakota State Industrial School and also taught numerous evening vocational certification classes at Bismarck State College, sharing his knowledge and skills with many students.

In the mid-1970s, Robert moved to the family farm when his in-laws, Harvey and Alvina Young, were nearing retirement. There, he built his family a home and established the Nix Family Ranch. For many years, he commuted to Bismarck-Mandan for work, balancing his professional career with his dedication to the family farm and ranch.

Robert was deeply committed to his community, serving multiple terms on the local school board. He took great pride and joy in presenting each of his children with their high school diplomas. He worked tirelessly to ensure programs were treated fairly and equitably for all students.

He enjoyed time spent with the Mandan Elks Lodge and was a member of the Morton County Mounted Police. In later years, he rekindled his love for motorcycling on his Harley and enjoyed every trip with his wife of 60 years, Lavonne. Together, they visited family and went sightseeing in South Dakota and beyond.

Robert is survived by his wife, Lavonne Nix; children, Jody Schily and her husband, Gary, of Mobridge, SD, and their children, Jill Ford and her husband, Nathan, Taro Jo Peterson and her husband, Ryan, Kala Troyer and her husband, Ronny, and Krista Gosch and her husband, Josh; Dr. Ronda Green and her husband, Chris, of Rapid City, SD, and their children, Christopher Green, Michael Green, Erin Green, and Alexander Green; Sherri Smith and her husband, Corey, of Horace, ND; Lori Halbert and her husband, Gary, of Gwinner, ND, and their son, Cole Sweet; and Shawn Nix and his wife, Loretta, of Steele, ND, and their children, Shawna Nix and Wyant Nix.

He is also survived by his sister, Gloria Ruhnke and her husband, David, of West Fargo; sister-in-law, Caral Nix of Surprise, AZ; several nieces and nephews; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Amelia “Molly” Anderson Nix; sister, Hermione Lasch and her husband, Earl; and brother, Tom Nix.

Robert’s greatest joy in life was his family, whom he loved deeply and supported with unwavering devotion. Through long days spent teaching and working on the farm and ranch, he worked tirelessly to create a legacy not only for his immediate family, but for generations to come. Grounded in his Christian faith, Robert lived with quiet strength and purpose, trusted in God, and led by example. His life will be remembered as one of service, dedication, and enduring love.

The family wishes to thank the Good Samaritan Society, Sunset in Mandan, and Hospice for the care provided to Robert during his brief stay.