Nicole Weissenfluh

Nicole Marie Weissenfluh (Hansen) of Brookings, 41, took her place with the angels on September 11, 2020, after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Born on April 6, 1979, in Prairie de Chen, WI, Nicole was the second of three blessed children to Richard and Patricia Hansen. Nicole spent most of her childhood in Big Stone City, SD, and graduated from Ortonville (MN) High School in 1997.

Nicole, always looking fresh and “dressed to impress,” took her keen fashion sense to South Dakota State University in Brookings, studying Apparel Merchandising, and graduating with honors in 2001. 

Nicole’s impeccable style, brilliant smile, and passion for life caught the attention of one man in particular, and in 2001, she was married to Jim Weissenfluh in Lake Poinsett, SD.

After graduation, Nicole began her journey into her fashion career, eventually becoming the manager of Maurices clothing store in Brookings. Her sights were set even higher though, as her dream was to ascend to a corporate buyer position. This, unfortunately, would never materialize, as her Multiple Sclerosis continued to worsen and forced her retirement in 2008.

Nicole refused to let the MS stop her from enjoying life. She loved to go to the movies, see concerts, attend Major League Baseball and NFL games, and travel frequently to places like New York and her all-time favorite, Las Vegas. She liked playing board games, reading, entertaining, and had recently taken up gardening. All from her wheelchair.

Nicole exercised daily, both physically and mentally, lifting weights and doing her daily “lessons” to maintain as much strength as possible as the MS continued to rage on.

Nicole’s favorite thing to do was spend time with her family and friends. Her energy and spirit were engaging, and her inner strength was unmatched. Anyone who knew Nicole immediately fell in love with her warmth, compassion, her zest for life, and her ability to brighten any room. She genuinely cared about every person she encountered, wanting to know everything about them, and not afraid to ask any question (and her charm and innocence somehow allowed her to get away with it!) Though she was wrought with personal struggle every single minute of every single day, she never allowed herself to use that as an excuse. She wanted to spread happiness and love to everyone around her, and she succeeded immeasurably.

Finally, on September 11, 2020, God decided that she had suffered enough, and took his angel home to walk and dance in his presence.

Although she is no longer here physically, Nicole’s spirit and memory live on with Jim, Richard and Patricia (Gums) of Brookings, brother Chad (Jan) Hansen of Watertown, sister Heidi Carstensen of (Scott Ault) Brookings, and several nephews and nieces.  She will be forever loved and missed by all who had the privilege to know her.

A private ceremony (due to COVID-19 restrictions) is held in her honor at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings on Wednesday, September 16, 2020. 

If you would like to contribute, the family requests in lieu of flowers, that a donation be given in Nicole’s honor to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com