Nicholas "Nick" Vannatta

Nick Vannatta, 31, of Great Falls died while animal sitting at the home of friends on Saturday, July 14, 2012.A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held in early August at Bethel Lutheran Church. The date will be announced later. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Nick was born on February 11, 1981 to Glenn and Anne (Gilliam) Vannatta in Great Falls. He received his schooling in Great Falls graduating in 1999. He was a member of the National Honor Society and sang with the Delphian Choir and with the Bison Street Blues. He had a keen interest in theatre starting his first show as lighting director at the age of 11. He became very accomplished as a lighting and sound technician doing many shows, mostly for Center Stage Theatre. Nick was also an animal lover, a wood carver, and an aspiring artist.His first employment was cleaning windows and doing odd jobs for Sutherland Jewelers. During his junior year of high school, he started working for the Target Store in Great Falls. Upon graduation, he became a full-time employee eventually transferring to Helena to accept a management position. He moved to Portland where he worked at several Target Stores. As his career progressed he returned to Great Falls filling an advanced position with Target. He accepted an opportunity as assistant manager with Harbor Tools at a store in Topeka, Kansas. After helping to open several Harbor Tools stores in the mid-west, he became the manager of one of their stores in Des Moines, Iowa.Upon again returning to Great Falls, he first worked for the C.M. Russell Museum before joining his father as assistant manager of Fleet Maintenance Service. When Glenn sold the shop and retired, Nick took a job with Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts advancing quickly to assistant manager.He is survived by his parents, a brother Dr. Michael (Erica) Vannatta of Morgantown, West Virginia and by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.Nick was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents and by a cousin.Nick was a gentle person who was loved by many people who will sorely miss him. Rest in peace, Nick.Memorials in memory of Nick may be made to the Animal Foundation of Great Falls, P.O. Box 3426, Great Falls, MT59403 or to the Rescue Mission, 326 2nd Ave S, Great Falls, MT59405.