NICHOLAS STEELE-WIEDENHOEFT

On March 3rd, 1994 a beautiful baby
boy was born to us and we baptized him
“Nicholas”. We were so blessed to have
him with us for 14 years. On Thursday,
November 27th, 2008 God called our angel
back to heaven while cuddling with his
Mommy and his sister & brother sleeping
by his side.
Nicholas was born in Hamilton and then
lived the fi rst few months of his life in
Eastern Ontario. In his fi rst year he and his
Mommy traveled “home” to Fort Frances
where he lived the rest of his life. Baby
Nicholas was an adorable little baby with
blue eyes and golden hair who was loved so
much from the very beginning. He was also
very special to our family as he was the fi rst
grandchild and great-grandchild on both
sides.
So early in his life, Nicholas had numerous
medical challenges and as a result he
spent much of his life in and out of many
hospitals. His prognosis was heartbreaking
therefore we learned to live
moment to moment. Year after year we
celebrated another birthday and marveled
at how much he endured and the miracle
of his existence. Nicholas’ sufferings were
many but there was not a day that went
by that he didn’t show us his courage by
the biggest and brightest smile. His smiles
were how we made it from one hard day to
another and a sure sign that he felt the love
we had for him.
In Nicholas’ 4th year, he and his Mommy
had a new beginning when Chris came into
their lives. He loved & cared for Nicholas
as if he were his own son. Nikki, Chris &
Nicholas soon became a very loving family
and were blessed even further with the birth
of a sister for Nicholas named “Callahan”.
She was born his little sister but it didn’t
take long for her to act like a “big” sister.
In her eyes he was the perfect brother.
Without saying a word he taught her the
power of love, compassion & patience.
He was also instrumental in developing
Callahan’s spirituality.
A few years
later a
baby
brother
was born
for Nicholas named “Christian”. They
quickly became cuddle buddies and
shared a love that only brothers could.
One of Christian’s favourite places to be
was on Nicholas’ lap riding around in his
wheelchair. They enjoyed some of the
simple things in life together like
listening to a story or swinging at the
park. Christian’s tender heart was
inspired by Nicholas.
Callahan & Christian have
always believed that their
big brother Nicholas was as
brave & strong as a lion. He
was and always will be their
“Lion King”.
Nicholas is survived by
his parents Nikki & Chris
Wiedenhoeft and David
and Rebecca Steele, siblings Callahan &
Christian Wiedenhoeft and Paul and Erica
Steele, Grandparents Larry and Mitzi
Armstrong, Rick and Linda Wiedenhoeft,
Ray and Johan Steele, Jack and Beth
Belleghem and Great-Grandparents Adele
Fichuk and Mal Steele.
Aunties and Uncles Shane (Nicholas’
Godfather) and Bobbi Armstrong, Greg
and Jayleen Wiedenhoeft, Jana Steele
(Nicholas’ Godmother) and Michael Steele.
Cousins Austin, Alex & Ashton Armstrong
& Amarah Hasham-Steele and numerous
other Great-Aunts & Uncles & cousins
and special Auntie Kathie Sawada and
very special friends Anita Vanderaa, Mary
Martinson & Janet Williams.
Nicholas was pre-deceased by his Auntie
Allison Armstrong, cousin Heather Sawada
and during his lifetime he was pre-deceased
by Great-Grandparents George and
Kay Armstrong, Hazel Steele, Bernice
Wiedenhoeft, Great-
Great Aunts Alice
Widurski and
Shirley Pelkey,
Great-Aunt
Fran Sinclair
and Great-
Uncle
Lyle
Visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Church on
Thursday December 4th, 2008 from 6:30 until
9:00pm with Father Francis Pudicherry offering
prayers at 7:00. A prayer vigil will be kept at St.
Mary’s Church for Nicholas throughout the night
where family & friends may pay their respects at any
time during this vigil.
Funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s Church on
Friday December 5th, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. with Father
Francis Pudicherry offi ciating with internment in the
Holy Cross Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Chris Wiedenhoeft, Shane
Armstrong, Trudie LeBlanc, Mary Martinson, Diane
Lipinski and Mary-Ellen Chapman.
In honor of Nicholas and his very special
message of love, donations of “stuffed
animals” brought along to the services
would be greatly appreciated. These gifts
of love will be distributed to the less
fortunate children in our community
during this Christmas season.
Should family and friends so desire, in
memoriam donations may be made to St. Mary’s
Church Building Fund, c/o 209 Victoria Ave., Fort
Frances, ON. P9A 2B9 or c/o Green Guneral Home,
P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, ON P9A 3M8.
On line condolences may be made in care of
www.mem.com
Nicholas Steele-Wiedenhoeft
“My Precious Nicholas….
I just want you to know that I
always felt like the luckiest Mother
to have you as my son. To
me you were perfect
because you were my
beautiful boy and
you never did any
wrong or asked for
anything. You
were always there
to love me anytime
my sweet Nicholas
and in return I gave
you my whole heart.
For 14 years I had the
privilege of mothering you
and the love & joy you brought to
me and the rest of your family is
something so powerful we could never
explain. To know you, touch you,
see you, cuddle you, sing to you, or
to see your radiant smile was the
closest thing to heaven I could ever
experience here on earth. Our love
is like a circle, there is no
beginning and there
is no end and I
promise you my
son that your
legacy of love
will carry on.
My breaking
heart will never
be healed until
the day we fi nally
meet again and
maybe YOU will be
the one carrying me. I’ll
Love You Forever, I’ll Miss
You For Always, As Long As I’m
Living My Baby You’ll Be.”
I Love You Nicholas,
Love Mommy xoxox
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