Ted A Nikolai

Theodore (Ted) Andrew Nikolai, 79, of Nashotah, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, February 24, 2022.

Ted was born November 30, 1942, in Rozellville, Wisconsin to Edmund Anton and Caroline Mary (Wenzel) Nikolai and was one of eleven children. Growing up, he attended St. Andrew’s Grade School and graduated from Marshfield Senior High School. He especially enjoyed playing the cornet for more than a dozen years in his family band, The Nikolodians.

On June 7, 1969, he married Jeanette Hafenbredl, and together they owned and skillfully ran a dairy farm in central Wisconsin for over 20 years. There they raised two children, Scott and Sherry. Through those years Ted served his community as an usher at St. Andrew’s Parish and as a member of the Rozellville Lions Club, including a term as President. He also played on the local softball team and was a regular in the community bowling leagues.

After selling the farm in 1989, Ted earned various trade certificates from Mid-State Technical Institute and worked in jobs ranging from welding, to flooring, and for the Wisconsin Central Co-op feed mill. Although his work pursuits slowed in 2010 and he and Jeanette relocated to the Lake Country, Wisconsin area, Ted would share that he never really retired, claiming, “Being idle does funny things to your brain.” He always found ways to keep engaged with family and the community. Among his greatest passions was the time spent with his three grandchildren, whom he adored. He attended every sporting event, theatre production, spelling bee, and music recital he could and enjoyed leisurely fishing with his grandsons. Ted also volunteered at his grandchildren’s elementary school for “Dad Duty” in the cafeteria and worked as a school crossing guard in Hartland, even well after the children had graduated and moved on to college.

Ted was extremely social, always ready with a cheerful hello and conversation. His morning coffee klatch at Hartbrook Cafe was a highlight of his day. He was also quite proud of his record at the local fitness center—“number 3 on the list in 2021 with 360 days of attendance.” Second only to his love for family and friends was his love for sports. Be it the Brewers, Packers, Bucks, Badgers, or Golden Eagles, he always had the latest Wisconsin sports updates and was eager to engage other enthusiasts on the topic. Ted will be remembered fondly for his contagious smile and the joy he found in life, which he so readily shared with others.

Ted is survived by his wife, Jeanette; son, Scott of Concordia, Kansas; daughter, Sherry (Christian) O’Connor of Dublin, Ireland; and grandchildren, Brady, Brooke and Casey O’Connor. He is further survived by siblings, Raymond (Clara) Nikolai, RoseMarie Wittenkeller, Eleanor Nikolai, Eugene (Becky) Nikolai, Victor Nikolai, Leonard (Diane) Nikolai, Germaine Nikolai, and MaryLou (Don) Hafenbredl; sisters-in-law, Teri Nikolai and Jan Hafenbredl; as well as many nieces, nephews, other family, and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, Edmund and Caroline Nikolai; sister, Caroline and her husband, James Hardinger; brother, Francis Nikolai; brothers-in-law, James Wittenkeller and Bill Hafenbredl; sisters-in-law, Ruth Nikolai and Virginia Hafenbredl; nephews, Bob Bruns and Urial Nikolai; and niece, Shelly Nikolai.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, March 4, 2022, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Nashotah, Wisconsin with visitation beginning at 11:00 am and a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 pm. Burial will be in Hartland Village Cemetery.

The Nikolai family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Tim Wassenaar and his medical team at ProHealth Care who provided Ted’s oncologic care these last 7 years. Also special thanks to the staff at AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc for their compassionate care in his final days. Contributions in Ted’s memory can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.