Nystroms - Five generations of local ranching

The world may have changed since 1917, but the Nystrom family still works hard on the family ranch, which they have operated since then, and plans to continue the tradition for the years to come.

"We are proud of it," Shawn Nystrom said, "... because it's a way of life that we love."

It is just good, honest, hard work, he said. People have to work sunup to sundown, but at the end of the day they will be able to hold their heads up high and feel good, because it's something they have achieved for themselves.

Shawn Nystrom's son Kody Nystrom agreed with his father.

"It's in our blood," he said.

With more than 100 years under their belt the Nystrom family has had five generations ranching in the Havre area, Shawn Nystrom said, and they still use the original brand of his grandfather John Nystrom who took over the ranch 1917.

Shawn's wife, Heidi Nystrom, said that the original homestead was established, near where Frontline Ag Solutions now operates, by Shawn Nystrom's great-grandfather Frank Nystrom.

Frank Nystrom later moved to where they presently ranch in the Bear Paw Mountains.

Frank Nystrom's son Caleb took over the operations, and then John Nystrom took over the ranch in 1917 after Caleb Nystrom died fighting as a U.S. soldier in World War I.

Shawn Nystrom said that, in 1917, his family raised grain and cattle, converting the ranch to only cattle in the 1940s. Back when his family first started, they would haul goods into town and get them shipped out on the train. He added that they are basically carrying on the same tradition.

In 1996, Nystrom said, his father, Dave, died and he and his wife with their two children, Kaleb and Kody Nystrom, took over the family business. Shawn and Heidi Nystrom later had three more children, Kaitlin, Kayleen and Kollin Nystrom.

All five of their children grew up on the ranch, working with cattle and haying, Shawn Nystrom said. He said that he remembered growing up on the ranch, working with his dad, and has many fond memories of his childhood.

"It was a good time," he said, "a lot of hard work, but it was a good time. ... It's a good place to raise a family, out in the country, the best place."

He said that he learned a number of lessons from his father, the most important one being how to work.

Kayleen Nystrom said that the work ethic her family has and learns from growing up ranching is something that carries on throughout their lives.

"It shows when you go somewhere else," she said.

Shawn Nystrom said that some of the lessons he had learned, that he has taught his children, are to always think and use their heads, be safe and be smart, think before they talk and to always be honest.

He added that these lessons have served him well in life and are something that he is proud to have taught his children. He said that while working on the ranch with his family he also taught his children to have a strong work ethic and taught them what hard work is.

Working as a family, Nystrom said, has good times and bad times, but hard work pays off.

Some days, after all the calves are branded and all the cattle are out to pasture during haying season - provided there is no drought - he said he is able to see all the hard work he and his family have put it. All the negativity goes away, and he reflects on the beautiful days that lie before him as the cows are in the pasture, he said.

"It's humbling," he said.

He said that his children all began working on the ranch as soon as they could walk out the door, either pulling weeds, fencing or picking up rocks. He added that they used to make it a game when the children were younger to see who could make the biggest rock pile the fastest. He said, laughing, that when they got older they didn't like that game very much.

Kody Nystrom said that he enjoyed growing up on the ranch. The experience was fun and he enjoyed the freedom of working on the land. He said he no longer lives on the ranch, moving into Havre and working for Patrick's Construction during the week, but still comes home to help out.

"It was the best childhood, growing up out here," he said.

He and his brother Kaleb Nystrom said that something they learned quickly while growing up on the ranch was that there is always something to do and to never say that they were bored.

Shawn Nystrom said he wants to see his family continue its century-old tradition of ranching here.

As cattle producers, he said, his family is not concerned about quantity of what they are producing so much as the quality.

The cattle they raise go to people, and those people deserve the best quality that is available, he said. The Nystroms, like many other ranchers in the area, he said, sell their cattle to local buyers and have been for years. He added that he and his family are proud of what they produce. At the end of the year, he watches his cattle being shipped off knowing that his family has done the best job that they can at making a quality product.

He added that his family is committed to their ranch, never taking a vacation. He said that in their free time they enjoy camping, fishing, hunting and occasionally taking their boat to different reservoirs in the area, but have never gone far from the ranch. Nystrom said that he would have liked to take his family somewhere for vacation but was committed to their business.

His family said that they were content with what they have and remember many great times they had with family barbecues and camping trips.

Kaitlin Nystrom said that if she has children of her own she wants to raise them the same way she was raised. Growing up on the ranch was a great experience and lifestyle, she added.

Kaleb Nystrom, the oldest of the children, still lives on the ranch and works full-time with his father and mother running its operation. He said it is the best job and he really enjoys the work.

Shawn Nystrom said it's nearly impossible for young people to start a farm or ranch unless it is a family business, and it's tough, because producers are at the mercy of mother nature and markets

He said that, looking into the future, after he and his wife retire, he is hoping that all of his children are able to work together to continue the family business.

"We've guided everybody, but we just take it day-by-day. You never know what tomorrow's going to bring," he said.