Nicole Plaut

Nicole Colen Plaut, 95, passed away unexpectedly May 1, 2025 at her home in Madison, WI. Nicky was born on June 23, 1929, to Charles Colen and Lea DeWinter in Antwerp, Belgium. As a young child, Nicky was stricken with tuberculosis, which may have been the seed of her awareness of the precious gift of physical health which so influenced her later pursuits. As a teenager during WWII she and her family endured great hardship brought about by the German occupation of Belgium. In her early twenties Nicky won some money in a lottery, and took a skiing vacation to Saalbach, Austria, where she met her future husband, Walter Plaut. It was love at first sight. They married in Lund, Sweden in 1953. Nicky immigrated with Walt to the U.S. in 1954 and eventually became a U.S. citizen. Nicky and Walt lived in Berkeley, CA, during their early years together where their children Andrea and Eric were born. They moved to Madison in 1956 where Walt began a career as Professor of Zoology at the University of Wisconsin and where they had two more children, Miriam and Jessica.

Nicky had a lively intelligence, and nurtured a lifelong interest in music, art and literature. She spoke several languages fluently, including her native French and Flemish, also acquiring Swedish and English as a young woman. When Walt took the family on sabbaticals to Peru in 1969 and Brazil in 1973 Nicky learned both Spanish and Portuguese. Nicky was an incredibly energetic person, with emphasis on good physical health often being at the forefront of whatever she did. She loved participating in modern dance at the Unitarian Society in the 1960s, and taught aerobic dance in the 1970s. She taught strength and fitness classes at Sports Medicine (UW Medical Center on Science Dr.) beginning in the 1980s up until her retirement. Yoga was Nicky’s true passion. She began teaching Iyengar yoga classes at Mound Street Yoga in about 1990 and she obtained certification as a yoga instructor from the Kripalu Center in Stockbridge, MA, in 1992. She continued teaching Yoga in her home studio until the age of 91 and cherished her relationships with many wonderful, longtime students. Only the pandemic caused her to retire.

Nicky loved nature and animals, adoring many beloved pets and spending time in her flower garden. She had an exacting and highly discerning nature, and she often brought this quality to her creative endeavors. She was an accomplished seamstress, and sewed beautiful clothing for herself and her family. Nicky was a truly impressive cook, often preparing foods from her native Belgium but always interested in new flavors and recipes from the whole world. Nicky understood the value of celebrating life by enjoying the physical senses. She will be missed by her family and many friends.

Nicky is predeceased by her parents, her loving husband, Walter Plaut (d. 1990), and her daughter, Andrea Plaut Berto (d. 2012). She is survived by her sister Monique Colen of Antwerp, Belgium, her son, Eric Plaut of Clinton Iowa, her daughters Miriam Plaut of Milwaukee, WI, and Jessica Plaut (and spouse Stevie Dunn) of Amherst, MA. Nicky is also survived by five grandchildren; Timothy Berto (and wife Lauren Berto), of Madison, WI, Tristan Berto of Madison, WI, Devin Scott of Lee’s Summit, MO, William Plaut Dunn (and wife Amanda Keefer) of Collegeville PA, and Callum Plaut Dunn of Amherst, MA. She also leaves four great grandchildren, Annaleah Errante of Kansas City, MO, Nell and Cora Berto of Madison, WI, and Malcolm Dunn of Collegeville, PA.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on June 22, 2025  At the First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Drive, Madison WI.

Cress Funeral Home

608-238-3434