Nicholas “Nick” Allen Gotelaere

Nicholas “Nick” Allen Gotelaere, 58, a resident of Amnicon Township, Wis., died Sat., May 16, 2009 at home with his family with him while under hospice care.

He was born June 1, 1950, in Superior, Wis. to Frances Jean (Jolicoeur) and Francis “Wen” Gotelaere.

In 1968 he graduated from Superior’s Cathedral High School and then furthered his education at the Johnson City Community College in Kansas.

Nick was a system electrician for the railroad having started his employment in 1977 with the Burlington Northern Railroad, currently the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Over the next few years he transferred three times to follow his employment with the railroad; in 1983 to Burlington, Iowa, in 1985 to Lincoln, Neb. and lastly in 1996 back to Superior.

In 1984 while residing in Burlington, Iowa he was united in marriage to Debra Ann Schiferl.

His memberships include the Belgian Club and the I. B. E. W. Union Local No. 1559, of which he was the recording secretary for twelve years. He was the organizer for the annual gathering at the GFC in Gordon, Wis.

Nick was a Green Bay Packer fan and he liked watching NASCAR racing. He enjoyed going fishing during warm weather and also golfing. He liked to “bend the elbow” and above all else he loved and treasured the time spent with his family.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Debra; and together they have five children, Nicholas Arthur (Melina) Gotelaere of Denver, Colo., Heather Nicole Stutzman and Victor Bradley Gotelaere both of Bellingham, Wash., Catherine Dawn (Marshall) Willis of Brownton, Minn., and John Christopher Helmick of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; four grandchildren, Makaylee Stutzman, Devin Helmick and Rhiannon and Brooklyn Gotelaere; 13 brothers and sisters, G. Dave (Jan) Gotelaere, Betty (Bob) Rolandson, and John Gotelaere all of Superior, Vic (Pat) Gotelaere of Sun City West, Ariz., Frank (Bev) Gotelaere and Jerry (Carol) Gotelaere all of Superior, Bob (Mary Ann “Snooks”) Gotelaere of Barnes, Wis., Steve and Don Gotelaere both of Superior, Becky (Al “Skip”) Jones of South Range, Wis., Katie (Kirk) Schleife of Trego, Wis., Andy (Darlyne Malmquist) Gotelaere of Jim Falls, Wis., and Sally (Tom) Johnson of Superior; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his father on June 10, 1996 and his mother on May 10, 2002.

Honorary pallbearers will be Chris “Bubu” and Holly Belch, Jeff Rolandson, Tonya Sickler, Joanne Salo, Theresa Richards, Craig Gotelaere and David Blade.

Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20th and continue until his memorial service at 6 p.m. in the Downs Funeral Home, corner of Ogden Avenue and 19th Street Rev. Fr. Leon J. Flaherty will officiate. A reception will follow at the Belgian Club, 3931 E. 2nd St., beginning at 7 p.m.

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