Stephan Nickels

Live Stream Link: https://youtu.be/ZgdG117FKAo

Stephan James Nickels, age 48, of Madison, WI passed away on March 4, 2022 in Boulder Junction, WI.  He was born on November 7, 1973 in Manitowoc, WI, and is survived by his parents Jim and Mary Jane Nickels.  His death was caused by injuries sustained in a snowmobile accident. Alcohol or drugs played no role in his death.

Stephan was a wonderful father, brother, son, uncle, mentor, and friend.

As a devoted father, he was absolutely everything to his only daughter, Mackenzie Nickels.  They took on the whole world together as a team and all of his strength and unrelenting perseverance will continue to live on in her.  He provided exceptional guidance to Kenzie to help her become the admirable young woman she is.  In his last year, he was able to help her achieve her dream of standing on the podium at the state track and field meet, graduate from high school and begin her academic career at the University of Wisconsin, his alma mater. Watching Kenzie grow, succeed and thrive in life was truly his greatest joy.

As an outstanding brother and son, he provided for his family and inspired them through good times and bad.  He was a wonderful big brother to his siblings Christopher Nickels and Andrea Roberts.  They truly learned from him how to be self-reliant and never to give up on yourself.

Stephan was an amazingly loving uncle to his nieces and nephews, Nadia, Elaine, Samuel, and Judah.  He always brought positive energy to a room and would take the time to play and enjoy his family.  He was so welcoming to his sister-in-law, Rebecca Nickels, and loved time with his family.

As a motivational mentor to many, Stephan energized all of us to improve ourselves physically, mentally, or professionally. Stephan was an exceptionally skilled attorney as a Partner and Chair of Madison’s litigation department for Foley and Lardner. He was a mentor to many of his co-workers and very successful in his profession.

Stephan was an awesome person in every sense of the word.  Everyone that he brought into his life, he made a little more awesome with his larger than life personality and desire to enjoy life and live to your fullest potential.  As a result, he had many robust hobbies, especially smoking meats, and encouraged many others to join his Smoking Meats Coaching Tree including his brother-in-law, Sean Roberts, and many other friends.  He loved to exercise and be outdoors.  He was an avid biker and consistently “tour ready” as a great athlete and an extremely healthy man.

He just loved to have fun.  He brought joy everywhere that he went and helped everyone add more fun to their life.  He loved to “wedge” a top notch beer with all friends and family and he lived in the moment and cherished it.

His favorite place in the world was his “treehouse” cabin with his dog Nicky.  He loved to sit on his porch and listen to the breeze rustling in the leaves of his Aspen trees and look out onto the water.  May he have that peace now.  He was taken from us so unexpectedly and completely too soon in his life.  We will forever miss him. Stephan gave the best hugs because they were so reassuring, warm, and comforting.  We can’t wait to see you again Steve and embrace you in heaven.

The visitation will be at Our Lady Queen of Peace (401 S Owen Dr, Madison, WI 53711) on Monday March 14th from 9:30 am - 11 am.  The funeral service will begin at 11:30 am with the burial to follow at the Middleton Junction Cemetery (8409 Isaac Dr, Madison, WI 53717).

A reception will then follow at Grace Coffee Co (1824 Parmenter St, Middleton, WI 53562) to continue to celebrate Steve’s life and share our love for him.