It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Nicholas Benjamin Sturis, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, who left the earthly world on July 1st, 2025. He celebrated his 54th birthday the day before, complete with chocolate ice cream, a diet coke, key lime infused ice chips (he loved ice) and all his children at his bedside. His humor, strength, and unwavering love for his family carried him through a long and courageous battle in a sick vessel, in which he fought with everything he had.

Nik was born on June 30th, 1971 to Patricia and Donald Sturis in Key West, Florida. He loved the coast and didn't believe key lime pie was any good unless it was made with Nelli & Joe's Famous Key West Lime Juice. He briefly lived in South Carolina, before ultimately settling in South Dakota.

He graduated from Sturgis Brown High School in 1989 and in 1992, he married Shohn Bryan and shortly after they welcomed their first child, Jessica. Though the marriage ended in divorce, they remained friends.

In 1996 he married Allison Hill. He went on to earn his automotive collision repair degree from Western Dakota Tech, receiving many awards for his mastery. In 2000 they welcomed their second daughter, Eva. Two years later, the youngest daughter Lilly was born. In 2008, he finally got his son, Elijah. He took pride in showing Eli how to be a chivalrous man and loved to wear their matching Blackhawks jerseys. Nik shared 17 wonderful years with Allison, and they remained beloved friends after their divorce.

Nik loved being a father. He encouraged all of his kids to shoot for the stars and immerse themselves in all things math and science. He got a kick out of helping with calculus and physics homework, and never missed an opportunity to talk about black holes in space. He enjoyed taking all the kids on road trips, including multiple 24-hour car rides to Washington. He watched all of his children jump into the Pacific ocean for the first time with immense pride and joy.

Shortly after his 43rd birthday, he became a grandfather. He initially refused being called grandpa, and insisted on the term Double Dad, or DD. With much endearment, his granddaughter, Lucah, only ever called him DD. In 2022 he got his grandson Klaus, followed by Ronan in 2024.

Nik loved to cook, spending the majority of his life working in a kitchen which he enjoyed fiercely. There wasn't a day that he didn't come home smelling like fryer grease, a warm comforting scent that accompanied the insulin notes. He had a spark that would never dim—sharp, witty, and full of curiosity for the world. He had a special affection for his coin collection—a loud passion that spoke to his eye for detail and history. In 2021, he created a YouTube channel named after his pre-Americanized surname, Sturika, where he shared videos showcasing all kinds of currency from around the world. He was deeply proud of the community he built and the friendships he made through creating and sharing videos. His collection of coins filled two tubs, and before he passed he made sure none were forgotten.

Nik was a natural comedian—always talking silly, and making people laugh. His sense of humor was unmatched, and even in his final moments his wit shone through—asking for a Heineken, because that was his way: facing life and death with a wink, a joke, and a full heart. But behind the jokes was a man who worked tirelessly and loved deeply.

He had an eclectic love for music that spanned decades and genres—James Taylor, Dave Matthews Band, Ed Sheeran, Audioslave, Blues Traveler, The Eagles—you name it. His playlists were as diverse and soulful as he was. His kids were often lulled to sleep with his strumming of Blackbird by the Beatles on his beloved guitar.

A true adventurer at heart, he loved the outdoors, long before illness slowed him down. There wasn't an ocean or mountain he didn't want to see. Because of his love for nature, he was a phenomenal gardener, the kind who could coax life from soil with patience and pride. Every season brought the best homegrown produce that he had no problem turning into beautiful meals for all his friends and family.

Nik is preceded in death by his father, Donald Sturis, his mother Patricia Newton, grandparents Nick and Lillie Sturis, and Clarence and Mary Boam.

He is survived by his brother, Anthony Sturis, and his four children, Jessica (Josey) Durham, Eva (Dawson) Sturis-Pearson, Lilly Sturis, and Elijah Sturis, who were the center of his universe. He leaves behind three young grandchildren, Lucah, Klaus, and Ronan, as well as many dear friends, including Jamie, Bryan, and Logan Chapman who have been chosen family for many years.

We carry him with us—his music in our ears, his jokes in our hearts, and his legacy rooted, like his garden, in everything he left blooming behind. Though his earthly form has departed us, there is comfort to be found in the law of conservation of energy in that energy cannot be destroyed, only transformed. It is with full confidence that his children believe his energy has been transformed to the highest degree, and he is now dancing in the cosmos as the brightest star in the galaxy.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 16, 2025, 2 – 5 p.m., at Kinkade Funeral Chapel, Sturgis, SD.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com .

Nicholas Sturis Folder