Duane G. Nicolaus “Nick” 79 of Elkhart Lake, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 18, 2020 at The
Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center with his loving wife beside him.
Nick was born on December 12, 1940 in Plymouth, a son to the late Gordon and Ruth (LaBudde)
Nicolaus. He attended St. John Lutheran School and graduated from Concordia High School in
Milwaukee. Nick served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in the DMZ of Korea. He was married to his
childhood friend, Lynnellen Lautenbach on October 10, 1964. He was a longtime employee of the
Kohler Company retiring after 40 years of service. He and Lynnellen also maintained a small dairy farm
in the town of Russell for a few years. He greatly loved and enjoyed his wife, children, grandchildren
and especially his seven great grandchildren. Activities he enjoyed included bible study, working out at
the gym, hunting and following the Brewers, Cubs and Packers. Nick had the talent of being able to
listen to a ball game on the radio and watch a different game on the television at the same time. Most
important he studied his bible and loved the Lord
Nick was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Elkhart Lake and the Kohler Quarter Century Club.
Nick is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Lynnellen; his three children, Rhonda (Warren)
Bohrmueller of Parnell, Crystal (Scott) Schenian of Menchalville and Gordon (Richelle) Nicolaus of
Lyndon Station; five granddaughters, Raelynn (Dylan) Smith, Ericka Bohrmueller, Tabatha (Jordan)
Lindle, Mallary Schenian (special friend Kelley Schmidt) and Leelu Nicolaus; seven great grandchildren;
Jonah, Eliza, Harper, Hannah, Everhett, Marlaina and Magdalynn; his brother, Rev. Dr. Mark (Jane)
Nicolaus of Montana and his brother-in-law, Dennis (Karen) Lautenbach of Elkhart Lake and several
nieces and nephews. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Ronald
Lautenbach.
A memorial service to honor Nick’s Life will be held at a later date at Grace Lutheran Church in Elkhart
Lake when current restrictions are lifted. Cremation will take place.
In lieu of flowers memorials in Nick’s name to Grace Lutheran Church are preferred.
Nick’s family would like to extend their grateful appreciation to the staff and doctors of Memorial
Hospital and especially to the doctors and staff at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for their
clinical excellence and caring approach.
Duane will be greatly missed by his wife and family….we love you!!
Wittkopp Funeral and Cremation Service of Plymouth is serving the family
Online condolences may be expressed at www.wittkoppfcs.com
