“Nemo” Mike Nemeth passed away, Saturday, August 31, 2024 at Westward Heights Care Center in Lander, Wyoming with his partner Vickie by his side. He was 68 years young. A Celebration of Mike’s Life will be held in late September for friends and family to come and share stories at the homestead cabin. The cabin was his favorite hangout on the planet. His family homesteaded the cabin on South Pass in 1931.
Mike would tell you “free and easy down the road I go.” All will remember him for his loose and free attitude.
Michael Dean Nemeth was born in Riverside, California. Mike and his brother Steve moved to Lander as children when their mother Bernice married Bill Sherlock. Mike left California in the rear-view mirror, where he thought it belonged. Bill loved those two boys and raised them as his own on the Sherlock family ranch and dairy outside of Lander. Mike was a graduate of Lander Valley High School and attended Casper college where he became a top welder. He was a true entrepreneur with his many adventurous businesses. Mr. Trash stood out as an iconic venture where he creatively taught his customers to pay their bills. Nemo’s Longbranch Saloon was a big hit with his friends and livened up the town. Many will clearly remember the slogans on the marque while memories of what happened inside are sometimes blurry. He was a skilled welder, fence builder, mechanic, and wood artist among many other talents – many of which he built into businesses at one time or another. "Mike was an original member of the Lander Rural Fire department and put his welding skills to work on the first fleet of trucks."
Mike enjoyed four wheeling and snowmobiling. Whatever Mike and his friends got into turned into a good time. He also loved ranching. He loved working the family ranch and helping the other ranchers in the area, he knew them all and always held a lot of respect for the good old boys. Mike bought his first truck brand new off the lot, paid in full, at age 15 with his hay stacking money.
There are many legendary stories of Nemo, pulling wagon loads of fun with his draft horses, staying ahead of the law in his pink Cadillac, or keeping the hitchhikers running from his tuned-up pickups. His friends were as good as gold to him. Many earned nicknames which became their names among friends forever. Fun times were had, he was always there for his friends. He would drop everything and do anything to bail out a friend in need.
Mike’s hobbies and talents were unique, including his wooden lampshades and burlwood furniture which culminated into a business called “Knarley by Nature.” He taught the lampshade building process to his son, Alex. Together they ramped up production and in 2015 Mike’s lamp won “Best of Show” at the Western Design Conference in Jackson, Wyoming. He was super proud of the award.
Mike was proud of his son Alex and had a huge place in his heart for his grandson Ethan. He would have loved to have more time to teach and watch Ethan grow into the man he is becoming.
Mike is survived by his son Alex Kreile and wife Monika of Lander; beloved partner and devoted companion of 30 years, Vickie Malek of Lander; brother, Steve Nemeth and wife Kathy of Santa Rosa, Calif. Grandson, Ethan Iversen; nephew, Dan Nemeth; cousins, Tony Sherlock and wife Janelle; Bill Jenkins of Laramie; Sue Cordova and husband Mike of San Diego, Calif.; Gwen Keller and husband Jeff of Merced, Calif.; Rick Nemeth of Boise, Idaho; several other family members; and best friend among many, Tom Killinger of Lander.
He was preceded in death by Paternal grandparents, Frank and Mary Nemeth; maternal grandparents, Irene and Sam Lambert; and his parents, Bill and Bernice Sherlock.
In memory of Mike, please consider donating to Lander Search and Rescue or The Friends of South Pass City, in care of the Davis Funeral Home, 2203 W. Main Street, Riverton, Wyoming 82501.
On-line messages to Mike’s family may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Arrangements under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Mounuments.