Obituary - Dr. Michael Nolan

Dr. Michael Nolan, 73, passed away on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at his Omaha, NE, residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 15, 2021, at First Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.

His family has suggested memorial donations be made in Dr. Nolan's honor to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line or the Havre Salvation Army programs for children.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Dr. Nolan's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Dr. Nolan was born on October 13, 1947, in San Francisco, California to Harold "Harry" Nolan, a full-blooded Irish-American firefighter, and his beloved mother, Virginia "Ginny" Sivertsen, of Scandinavian descent. He grew up in the Bay Area with his older sister, Pamela Aldridge, and his younger brother, Ron Savarese. Dr. Nolan attended school from his elementary years up until his early high school years in Concord, California.

In 1964, Dr. Nolan moved to San Diego, California, with his family. His mother, Virginia, was remarried to Jack Williams until she passed away, too young, in 1967 due to cancer. However, Jack stayed in his life, later marrying Virginia's sister, Dr. Nolan's beloved aunt Darlene Williams.

In December 1967, Dr. Nolan enlisted with the U.S. Navy Reserves during the Vietnam War. He initially enrolled in submarine school, which Dr. Nolan very eloquently described as "dull." It was during submarine school when he heard an announcement for openings to join a new division known as SEAL team. Dr. Nolan subsequently applied and was accepted into the SEAL Qualification Training ("SQT") in Coronado, California. An extremely intense, grueling, and mentally and physically challenging training program. Dr. Nolan commented that half of the trainees in his SEAL team class had dropped out within the first two weeks of the 26-week training program. His SQT consisted of dive training; basic underwater demolition, commonly referred to as "BUD," airborne training, survival, evasion, resistance, and escape "SERE," supporting arms for reconnaissance and more. Dr. Nolan successfully completed SQT and became a member of SEAL Team One. He was deployed to Vietnam in May 1969. He was honorably discharged in December 1969. For his military service, Dr. Nolan earned the Bronze Star with "V" for valor and the Navy Commendation Medal with "V" for valor.

Dr. Nolan later pursued his education, earning a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University. He earned his medical degree from the University of California San Francisco in June 1980, and completed his internship through the University of Wyoming in 1980.

Dr. Nolan grew up dreaming of rural life and becoming a cowboy, which eventually brought him to Havre, Montana, a community which he proudly served for over 38 years. Dr. Nolan began his practice as a General Practitioner at the Old Havre Clinic in 1981. He later became a board-certified family practitioner in 1994. It was Dr. Nolan's pleasure and life's work caring for the people of Havre and bringing countless babies into this world. He will be remembered for his service to the Havre community and his ever-infectious sense of humor and laugh.

Dr. Nolan married the love of his life, Shelley Nolan (Gorder), a native of Havre, in January 1985. Dr. Nolan had four children: Mac, whom Dr. Nolan shared with his first wife, and three children with his wife Shelley: Bart, Aaron and Jessica Nolan (Weborg.)

Dr. Nolan was preceded in death by his grandparents; his mother, Ginny; father, Harry; aunt and uncle, Darlene and Jack Williams; his mother-in-law, Margaret Gorder; father-in-law, Norman Gorder; and his beloved son Bart Nolan.

Dr. Nolan leaves behind his wife, Shelley Nolan; his children Mac (Deanna) Nolan, Aaron (Priscilla) Nolan, Jessica (Evan) Weborg; his adored sister, Pamela Aldridge; his brother, Ronald (Gail) Saverese; his five grandchildren, Liam, Lillian, Eoghan, Barton and Hayden; sisters-in law; brothers-in law; nieces; nephews, and countless friends.