Edward "Ed" A. Nicolay

Edward A. Nicolay, age 90, of Harmony Grove passed away at Maplewood Nursing Home, Sauk City on Mar. 31, 2026. He was born July 27, 1935 in Webster, South Dakota to the late Anthony and Elizabeth (Kulesa) Nicolay. Early on, Ed was also a proud GreyHound bus driver in his younger years; he enjoyed those years, driving all around the United States and all hours of the day. Ed later farmed; doing this the majority of his life, first in western Minnesota and later in western Wisconsin near Ellsworth. After farming he later moved to the Madison area, eventually settling in Harmony Grove where he has lived the last 35 years. He enjoyed his years farming, working hard and instilling that work ethic in those around him.

Ed married, Hazel Nelson in1956; they divorced in 1958 and remarried in 1960 and had 1 daughter, Lori (Kryzsko), later divorcing in 1961.

Ed married, Patricia Watne in 1965 and had 3 kids, John Nicolay, Michelle (Nordlund) & Pam (Dyrdahl) and divorced in 1971.

Ed married, Barbara Brennan in 1972; they had no children together and divorced in 1988.

In 1988 Ed met his soulmate, Gloria Grossman; they traveled and did a lot of baking together. He was famous for his apple pies. They married in 1998; they had no children together and were married until she passed in 2001. Ed will be buried beside her in Dekorra Lutheran Cemetery.

Ed later met Carla “Patricia” Suwing Diaz online. They were married in Peru in 2008. Patricia then moved to the United States. Together they had one son, Ian Nicolay who Ed loved to spend time with and see him grow up.

Ed is survived by his wife; Carla “Patricia” and son, Ian (8); children Lori (Tom) Kryzsko, John (Andrea) Nicolay, Michelle (Tim) Nordlund, Pam Dyrdahl; 14 grandchildren, His siblings Loretta (Pete) Lentsch Tony & (Eloise) Nicolay

A funeral mass for Ed will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 11:00 am at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 115 Madison St., Sauk City. A visitation will be held prior to mass from 10:00 am until 10:45. Burial will follow in the Dekorra Lutheran Cemetery, Harmony Grove.