Nicholas Hilton Oswald

Although his life ended much too soon, the impact Nicholas Hilton Oswald made on the world around him was no less significant. He was a man of courage and quiet strength that provided those around him with much to aspire for. Nick was a devoted family man whose wife and children were his greatest source of pride and joy. With his quick wit and sarcastic sense of humor he had a zest for life that was contagious to others. Guided by an unwavering faith, Nick lived to serve people in all aspects of his life. Although he will be deeply missed, his spirit will remain alive and well in the hearts and lives of all who were blessed to know and love him. The 1980s were a decade to remember in America. The winds of change were prominent as technology was taking us places we had never been. This was the generation that saw the first camcorder as well as Nintendo, Pac Man, and game boys while movies like Nerds and Stand By Me topped the charts. It was in 1980 that Arnie and Jan (Hilton) Oswald were filled with unspeakable joy as they were pleased to announce the birth of the baby boy they named Nicholas Hilton in Janesville, Wisconsin, on September 1st. He was a blonde, curly haired little boy who was a true delight to his parents. By the time he was an adult Nick kept his hair short to hide his trademark curls. He fostered an adventurous spirit as evidenced by the time he threw his stuffed bunny down from the balcony, intending to jump himself, which he soon came to reason was not the best idea. In many ways Nick experienced an upbringing that was a reflection of his generation. He was a student at Badger High School where he played the cello and bass in the orchestra and was a member of the cross country team. In addition, Nick had the experience of a lifetime as part of an improv team that performed in London and Scotland. He went on to graduate from high school in 1999. Determined to succeed, college was certainly in Nick's future. While touring colleges he knew the instant they crossed the bridge into Winona that this was the place for him. Nick worked hard as a student at Winona State University while still finding the time to pursue his interests and talents. While there he had a part in the "Shakespeare in the Park" production and the Winona Players Improv. In 2004 Nick graduated from Winona State University with degrees in communication and business administration. Nick later achieved his master's degree in criminology. With his education behind him, Nick worked as a corrections officer at Red Wing Correctional Facility and later as a Sentence to Serve crew leader in Shakopee and Carver Counties. Currently, Nick was a probation officer for the Department of Corrections where he initially worked with juveniles and more recently had been working with adults in drug court. It was while working at Red Wing Correctional Facility that Nick's world was forever changed when he met the woman of his dreams. Her name was Angela Tangeman, and they were both in training at the time - she as a volunteer and he as a corrections officer. As Nick's mother saw the relationship between her son and Angela take root, she wisely counseled him about responsibility, but he was quick to assure her that he knew all about responsibility. Deeply in love, the sweethearts were married at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Anamosa, Iowa, Angela's hometown, on September 15, 2007. Together they made their home in Winona and were blessed with the births of their twins, Jonathon and Isabella. Throughout his life Nick was a man of many interests. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed things like deer and pheasant hunting as well as fishing. Nick believed in living an active lifestyle and could often be found running with his dog, MacGyver, because he loved how it strengthened his endurance. When it came to sports he was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings, Gophers, and Twins, and he even informed Angela that he would not allow his son to be a Packer fan! Nick was a product of the eighties through and through as he loved all the shows from that decade including The Dukes of Hazard and Dallas to the point of being able to recite various lines from these shows. In fact, it was his love for these shows that led him to name his dog MacGyver and his son J.R. Nick's life was enriched the most by sharing experiences with the ones he loved. He looked forward to the Hilton family's annual camping vacation at J.W. State Park in Cedar River, Michigan. The tradition in Nick's family was to spend Thanksgiving with Angela's family in Kansas, Christmas with his parents in Wisconsin, and then be home for Easter. Of course it comes as no surprise to those who knew Nick that during holidays and family time he was always the center of the fun. His grandparents meant the world to him as well. All who loved Nick would agree that he was an extraordinary man to know and love. His manners were second to none, and he was forever saying "please" and "thank you" to everything. When eating at someone else's home, Nick was the first to leave the dinner table so that he could get a jump start on helping clean up. He was selfless when it came to others as Nick naturally put the needs of others ahead of his own. Nick's sense of humor made him so much fun to be around, and he also had quite a reputation around the chemo lab as the workers would always say, "Here comes trouble," when they saw him coming. He was independent and took great pride in not asking for assistance as he was known for saying, "If we can't handle it, then we shouldn't be doing it." He frequently told Angela, "Now you know and knowing is half the battle." Nick also enjoyed imitating others in voice and action, both positively and jokingly.Even when facing cancer in both 2011 and in 2013, Nick's faith and fun-loving personality never wavered. He was an active member of Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka where he served as a lector, usher, and in teaching religious education. As Nick underwent treatment, he was always cracking jokes to make those around him laugh and was also sure to thank everyone there for helping him. He remained committed to his work, too, as he left early to drive to Rochester for treatment so that he would be able to get back to Winona in time to start his work day. The heartbeat of wherever he was, Nicholas Oswald was a blessing to countless others. He will be forever missed for his sarcastic and quick wit, his amazing work ethic, and his zest for life, but it will be his selfless love for all who were near that will be his lasting legacy. Nicholas "Nick" Hilton Oswald, of Goodview, died on June 12, 2014. Nick's family includes his wife, Angela; twin children, Jonathon and Isabella; parents, Arnie and Jan Oswald of Lake Geneva, WI; maternal grandparents, Corwin and Virginia Hilton, father-in-law, Roy Tangeman of Anamosa, IA; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Nick was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Michelle Tangeman in 2011. A Funeral Mass for Nick will be 11 a.m. Monday, June 16th at Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka with the Very Reverend Thomas J. Hargesheimer officiating. Burial of Nick's cremated body will be in St. Mary's Cemetery at a later date. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview. Please share a memory of Nick with his family, view his Video Tribute and read his Life Story at www.hofffuneral.com.Pallbearers will be Jeff Harris, Tim Freitag, Matt Hilton, Beth Parsons, Tom Parsons & Marie Bohr.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/500606