After a courageous, inspiring nine year battle with brain cancer, this wonderful young man passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Nick was born on December 1, 1979 in Madison, WI, the son of Larry and Rosemary Wendt (Merrimac, WI).

He grew up in the village of Sauk City, located along the beautiful Wisconsin River in the south central part of the state. He was a 1998 graduate of Sauk Prairie High School. After high school, Nick attended the UW School of Radiologic Technology in Madison, WI and graduated from the program in June 2001. During his last year of training, he met the love of his life in the UW Radiology Dept., Sarah Preston, whom he later married in Denver, Colorado on Feb 20, 2005. In February, 2007, Nick was diagnosed and had surgery for a malignant brain tumor.

The couple then moved to Evansville, IN, where Nick was employed at St Mary's Hospital in the cardiac cath lab. On Nov 9th, 2009, Nick and Sarah welcomed the joy of all our lives, Samuel Nicholas. Nick ended his career in the diagnostic radiology dept. in November, 2014, when his symptoms no longer allowed him to work. He continued to spend quality time with his family and friends both in Indiana and in Wisconsin. Nick loved the UW Badgers and had the honor of going down on the football field last year while they practiced before a game. He also had the opportunity to see the Badgers play in the Final Four in Indianapolis. Nick has truly been an inspiration to anyone who has ever met him or read any of his Facebook posts on the Fight with Sam's Dad page. He loved God and lived his life as a true Christian. He made the most of everyday as if that day was his last.

We can all aspire to his way of living, and we will all miss his smiling face everyday.

Nick was preceded in death by his father, Larry John Wendt, his maternal grandparents, Rudy and Evelyn Raschka, his paternal grandfather, Lester Wendt, his cousin, Cameron Wendt, and his uncles, Joseph DuVall and Gene Higgins.

Nick is survived by his loving, supportive wife, Sarah, his six year old son, Samuel, his mother, Rosemary Wendt and brother, Benjamin Wendt of Merrimac, WI., his paternal grandmother, Betty Wendt of Baraboo, WI, his mother and fathers-in-law, Cathy and Steve Baker(Poseyville, IN),Benjamin Preston(Martha) of Roachdale, IN, his brother in laws, Miles Preston(Sasha)of Indianapolis, IN and Aaron Baker(Laura) of Evansville, IN, and sister in law Megan(Charles) Gilmore of Robinson, IL and grandmother in law, Dora Marie Newman (Poseyville, IN), his uncle and godfather, Lon Wendt (Pulaski),his aunt and godmother, Jane Anne Coffell (Thomasville, NC) and many other aunts and uncles and cousins who were all special to him. The family of Nick Wendt want to express their sincere gratitude for all the love and support from family and friends over this journey. Special thanks to Nick's hospice nurse Angela, dear friend Kristine Aman, and the staff and physicians of St Mary's and the oncology departments in Evansville and Vanderbilt.

A celebration of life will be held at the Kingsman Club in Evansville, IN, officiated by Pastor Coy Walters on Sunday, March 6th 12:00 to 6:00.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the Hooverson Funeral Home in Sauk City, visitation at 10 to 2, service at 2:00, officiated by Fr. Jay Poster, St Joseph Parish, Baraboo, WI

Memorial contributions will go toward Sam's College Fund.

"It is not the years in the life, but the life in the years" Abraham Lincoln
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7