Nikolaus Jones

WAUNAKEE
On Saturday, March 12, 2016, the world lost one of the kindest, funniest and most loving persons you could ever meet. Nikolaus A. Jones was loved by many people, and will be missed by all of them. Hopefully, those who were lucky to have had so many good times with him will have many more beyond this life.
People who shared time with Nick knew him as a storyteller with an outlandish sense of humor. He was a jack-of-all-trades. His love of cars, music, especially classic rock and roll, including the Eagles and Beatles, and the outdoors was an inspiration to those around him.

Nikolaus attended Madison Area Technical College for auto training. As a teenager and young adult, Nick loved to rebuild classic cars. He bought and sold many of them, and also used his mechanical expertise to help many friends and family members over the years. Even strangers stranded on the roadways could expect a helping hand from Nikolaus. He was the type of person willing to drop everything he was doing to assist another soul in need.

He was a rock that you could always depend on, whether you were family, friend, or a stranger. If you needed rescuing, Nick was there. He made no judgments about people. He would fix the neighbors' lawn mower, or scooter, or even an occasional child's bicycle if asked to do so. He built houses with Habitat for Humanity, and later went on to renovate his childhood home, from top to bottom.

He was a big brother and friend to his nieces and nephews, teaching and protecting them as they grew up. Nick always had a way with his words, and was blessed with a charming smile and laugh that lit up the room. Behind that big, rough exterior was a delightful, creative and incredibly gentle soul. His family and friends will miss him dearly. He was able to bring light and joy into anyone's eyes, with his wonderful stories, great delivery, and his accompanying robust expressions. The world is a little bit less joyful because he has moved on.
Nikolaus is survived by his mother, Lynn Hagen; father, John Jones (of Texas); and siblings, Ben, Kate, Jacob (and fianc�e Susan Rinehart), and Steven (and fianc�e Jen Haar). He was preceded in death by his sister, Emily and his beloved dog, Jack.

He also leaves the Jones grandchildren, Camilla, Curtis, Apollo (Millan), Jaron, Trinity, Ariana, and Raina (Wilson). Many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews will also miss him, most notably the Smith family of Milwaukee. He also leaves behind the Van Alstine family, whom Nikolaus chose as his second family, most notably Bud Van Alstine, who was a father figure to him. Together, Bud and Nick enjoyed cars, all things mechanical and camping trips. Wyatt Van Alstine, and his wife Erin, were close lifetime friends. He also leaves behind Richard Sarabia, another friend and mentor. Casey Graham was also part of Nick's extended family.

A visitation will be held at Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee, on Saturday, March 19, 2016, from 2 until 4 pm, with a time of sharing beginning at 4 pm. Please come and share your memories of Nick.

Since Nikolaus died unexpectedly, the family requests that if you have anything left unsaid that you would like to say to Nick, please bring a letter in a sealed envelop to the visitation, and they will all be burned ceremoniously at a later time in a Viking ship funeral ceremony. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am, Monday, March 21, 2016, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 209 South St., Waunakee, with Msgr. James Gunn.

Please share your memories of Nick.

Winn-Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee
(608) 849-4513