Joyce Nikolai

Joyce A. Nikolai, age 89, of Neenah, WI, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on December 26, 1935, in Marathon, Wisconsin, to Hugo Sr. and Sophia Seubert. A proud citizen of Marathon, Joyce carried her small-town values of faith, hard work, and hospitality with her throughout her life.

In August of 1957, Joyce married the love of her life, Harold “Nick” Nikolai. In 1962, they moved to Neenah, Wisconsin, where they raised their family, built a close-knit community, and created a lifetime of memories together.

Joyce was a passionate parishioner of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Neenah, where her faith was not only a guiding light but a source of strength and deep community throughout her life.

Joyce was known for her warmth, kindness, and subtle but quick sense of humor. While she wasn’t the one pulling the pranks, she and the neighborhood wives were always in on the fun, cheerfully going along with the playful antics of the husbands in their Neenah neighborhood.

She also loved spending time back in Marathon with her extended family—where games of Sheepshead, laughter, and storytelling were always flowing—often with a Southern Comfort Old Fashioned in hand. These gatherings were full of connection, humor, and a deep sense of belonging that she cherished all her life.

Joyce additionally ventured to Kentucky, Missouri, Florida, and beyond with the beloved pseudo St. Gabriel camping group. Traveling with a group of over 20 people at times, these trips were filled with laughter, shared meals, and late-night campfires and board games.

Family was everything to Joyce. She deeply valued time spent with her children and grandchildren and made it a point to attend everyone's sporting events—whether WIAA volleyball, basketball, or cheering on the Badgers during March Madness.

She was the heart of many beloved family traditions—especially the annual Labor Day weekends at Bear Lake Campground and summers at Pine Land. Another cherished tradition was the neighborhood corn roast, where friends and neighbors came together to enjoy good food, laughter, and community. These moments reflected the joy and togetherness that Joyce so naturally inspired.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Hugo and Sophia; her husband Harold; her siblings Hugo Jr (Joyce), LaVerne (Tottie), Jim (Ann), and Mary.

She is survived by her son Steve (Cherri) Nikolai; grandchildren Trevor, Stacey (Jason) Klug, and Morgan; great-grandchildren Molly & Pierce; her son Mike (Wendy) Nikolai; grandchildren Kyle (Miranda), Katie (Ben) Reigel, and Kristin (Leon Dadipi); great-grandchildren Russ, Haelyn, Emelia, & Aaliyah; her daughter Sue (Robert) Sell; grandchildren David (Hailey) Sell, Donald (Natalie) Sell, Bobbi (Matthew) Williamson; great-grandchildren Suzie & Brooks.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Neenah, WI, 900 Geiger Street, at 11:30 am on Saturday October 11, 2025. A visitation will be held from 9:00 am until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Joyce’s memory to St. Gabriel Catholic Church.

Joyce’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Kerrie, Erin, Joan, and all of the staff of American Grand Assisted Living Suites of Neenah as well as her hospice team.