Steven Glenn Nickelsen

Steven Glenn Nickelsen passed away on October 11, 2017 at the age of 69 surrounded by family.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Nickelsen; and children, Sharma, Tiffany (Todd), Grant (Brittany) and Ashley.

How do you capture Steve Nickelsen in a few paragraphs? You all have your own stories, memories, take aways and laughs. That's the good stuff. Steve left this world exactly how he wanted to- right after a business trip, surrounded by family and in quick form. As you all know, Steve suffered from cardiac conditions for a long time. His blood pressure issues started when he was 27 and he had a heart attack at 42. During that episode he flat lined for just under 4 minutes. They shocked him three times and weren't going to shock him a fourth. He has been on borrowed time since then. Phew, what a gift that time has been to all of us. It meant more trips to Muskoka, get togethers with his friends, seeing his children grow up, giggles with his grandkids, trips with Judy, horse shows, building up businesses and raising up everyone around him.

Steve was born on September 24, 1948 and passed away on October 11, 2017 with Judy, Tiffany, Grant, Ashley and Cori surrounding him. He was in Ashland on a business trip, and coincidentally, Judy and Ashley had a horse show nearby. Steve complained of being dizzy and wasn't up for going to work that Friday. Judy and Ashley went to check on him that day, October 6th, at the hotel and based on what they saw decided to drive him to the Cleveland Clinic where Steve had been in the care of Dr. Starling for years. Upon admission, Steve was not presenting with overly concerning issues. As many of you know, he had sporadic stints in the hospital due to pneumonia and other difficulties as a result of his weakened immune system, heart, lungs and kidneys. After admission to the hospital Steve got a fever which was sourced from an infection. It took some time for the hospital to pin point the infection, which ended up being Legionnaires' disease (google search recommended here). The pivotal issue in the hospital was whether his heart, lungs and kidneys could withstand the infection. Given Legionnaires' is an "exotic" disease, it was not detected initially and was not treated with the appropriate antibiotics until Monday. The following days and hours turned into a wait and see. Judy, Tiffany, Ashley and Cori were in a holding pattern in the ICU.

At some point on the 10th, Steve's fever broke, giving a false sense of optimism. Now the question was "how did the infection affect his organs?" To assist Steve in fighting this battle, the hospital put him on all forms of life support including a ventilator and dialysis. Steve's blood pressure was not responding as hoped which meant his organs were not getting the oxygen they needed. Now things were touch and go and it became more evident Steve could go at any time. Grant arrived at the Cleveland Clinic at 2:40am on Wednesday, October 11. Steve passed away an hour and 24 minutes later with his loved ones stroking his hair, holding his hands and saying "we love you groupies". The beauty is that we all got to say that before this moment, at a time when Steve was alert and responsive. We all left with the gift of knowing he knew how much we loved him. We also left with the gift of knowing how much he loved us. Steven Glenn Nickelsen put his imprint on all of us. We are better people because of him and we will continue to leave Steve's imprint on whatever we touch. Thank you for loving him.

To the Cleveland Clinic, there is a reason you are arguably the best heart center in the world. The medical staff that has cared for Steve for years, to include in his final days, is outstanding. The entire staff was so ambitious in their clinical support of Steve and incredibly sensitive in their dealings with the family. Thank you for that.

Rest In peace Steven Glenn Nickelsen. You are so loved.

Calling hours will be Sunday, October 15th from 2:00 to 4:00pm at the Billow Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road Akron, OH.
Services will be Monday October 16th at 10:00am at Bath Church, 3980 W. Bath Road Akron, OH. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association at donatenow.heart.org. To share a Memory, Send a Condolence or Light a Candle visit the Tribute Wall at www.billowfuneralhomes.com (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)