Nicholas John Martin Andersson

Celebration of Life Ceremony: Sunday, June 10, 2018 St. Luke’s Methodist Church Nicholas John Martin Andersson, 20 of Highlands Ranch, Colorado passed away on June 4, 2018. After a fabulous weekend that included a family dinner party, a camping trip with buddies, and time chilling with old friends, our Nick lost his final battle with addiction, passing peacefully in his sleep. We are here to remember our Nick - the Nick that spread joy every day with his sweet, brilliant grin that lit up a room and hearts where ever he went. Nick was born in Englewood, Colorado on July 10, 1997, the first son of Kristoffer and Julie (Gilbert) Andersson. His exuberance for life was clear from the time he was a tiny guy. His smiles would brighten the room and his laughs were contagious, he was so full of love! He and his dad loved to wander Chatfield (as mom took tons of pictures) and Nick would collect and lovingly gift us all with sticks and rocks he discovered - sharing his most precious treasures filled with love. He adored his little cars, Lincoln Logs, and oh those Legos he built into incredible scenes! He was always carrying his little baby monkey from Tarzan, chasing bubbles, playing outside and climbing trees - the favorite being the one in Grandma and Gpa’s back yard. He had a very special bond with his Grandma and Gpa and they loved him fiercely. As Nick got a bit older, he enjoyed boy scouts and began his love of the outdoors. He loved anything that was outside including hiking, camping, fishing (except in Alaska where fishing started early in the cold and he’d roll off the seats when he fell asleep in the boat!), skateboarding and just “chillin” with his friends. Whether it was jetting off to a surprise Disney trip straight from school with Aunt She, Brad, Grandma and Gpa or heading off to the lake for the day with his Dad, Nick was thrilled to travel and explore new places. Nick opened his heart and arms as an incredible big brother to Ryan and Katie when they joined the family. He doted over the babies and was so proud and patient with them. As they grew up, Nick stayed so involved with their lives and did the typical big brother things including playing with ‘his babies’ on their alligator teeter totter; bike rides, skateboarding lesson for Ryan, picking Ryan up and carrying him down the stairs to toss him on the sofa and playing video games; taking them on hikes while camping; protecting them from their mother’s cleaning sprees. Katie shared with us that Nick loved playing crack the egg on the trampoline, playing in the swimming pool (he only let her sink once or twice and not for very long!) and making pillow forts. She also laughed about him being a ‘shower boy’ - 3 long showers a day! Nick was his Aunt She’s “fuddy buddy wuddy huddy” and she and cousin Brad cherished spending time with him as he grew from tiny guy to big guy. There was one trip - the family was out on the lake and Nick was scared to jump in the water and Krissy jumped in the water first to show him it would be ok (even though she was afraid of deep water so then Brad jumped in to show HER it was ok!). He believed the teens and took the plunge - our boy was afraid of nothing after that! Family was so important to him - we shared camping trips, family celebrations, trips to Disney, the so precious just ‘hanging out’ time. He soon towered over Aunt She and never let her forget it. He would often say, with his big grin - ‘Come on Aunt She - we’ve got this!’ Over the past few years, what he loved best though - next to all his friends - was EDM music. He’d get on his light up gloves and go to town, dancing and grinning and just loving life! My favorite video is of him dancing with his newly acquired gold teeth and chain bling in the middle of Safeway making his sister Katie laugh out loud while she taped it. He and his brother Ryan would sit for hours making masks and “candi” for Nick to trade and wear at concerts. Who was our Nick? ""ñ©╕é... He was the baby whose eyes would get huge when ‘Binkie from the Sky’ would appear. ""ñ©╕é... He was the guy whose grin would light up a room. ""ñ©╕é... He was the guy that would tease you to death and then cuddle you and make you laugh. ""ñ©╕é... He was the person that protected those he cared about fiercely and helped those he didn’t even know when he could. ""ñ©╕é... He would give the BEST hugs. Open arms, filled with warmth and genuine caring. His hugs would almost squeeze you in two with all the love and then include a kiss on the top of the head. ""ñ©╕é... He was the young man who idolized his Dad and Gpa and so enjoyed the time spent together on hunting and fishing trips. ""ñ©╕é... He was a little boy that made a cross and planted flowers for his Grandma when she passed. ""ñ©╕é... He was so loved that Bill and Marabeth made him an ‘honorary’ nephew as he was a nephew in all but blood. ""ñ©╕é... He was a son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend who was so incredibly loved. Nick had an energy that was indescribable and wish for all to be gloriously happy. In his memory please spread the joy he shared with us all to all those around you. Nick is survived by his adoring brother Ryan and sister Kaitlyn, his loving dad Kristoffer, devoted mom Julie, Grandfather (Gpa) John, Aunt Sheila (Aunt She); cousin Brad and his wife Krissy. He was predeceased by his grandma, Mary Gilbert who is hugging him to pieces right now. All are invited to his viewing Saturday, June 9th from 2:00 - 4:00 at Horan and McConaty Funeral Home 5303 E. County Line Road, Centennial, CO 80122. A Celebration of his Life will be held Sunday, June 10th at 2:00 at St. Lukes Methodist Church in the Sanctuary at 8817 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, please donate so others can grow to the Recovery Ministry. Send checks to St. Luke’s and enter Recovery Ministry - Nick in the memo line at the address mentioned above.