Paul Nikolay

Nikolay, Paul

Paul Nikolay, 66, of Harshaw, WI, died peacefully with his family by his side at home on December 13th, 2025. He was born December 14th, 1958, in Marshfield, WI, to Jack and Helen Nikolay of Abbotsford, WI, where he was raised alongside six siblings.

He graduated from Abbotsford High School in 1977 and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While attending UW-Madison, he was a member of the Badger Football Team and graduated in 1981. His determination, talent with words, and desire to serve his community led him to law school at Marquette University, from which he graduated in 1984. While attending Marquette, he met his future wife, Karen Schanowski. They wed and returned to Abbotsford, where Paul practiced law at the family law firm and later raised their family.

He was fueled by a passion to help others. He was known by his clients as being poised, charismatic, and selfless. In addition to serving as a legal advocate, he was a board member for the Abbotsford State Bank, and volunteered his time coaching youth and prep football. Since 1991, he served as a trustee for the Shortner Trust, distributing donations for the benefit of several central Wisconsin cities, schools, and organizations. He spent his final years traveling, golfing, tackling countless projects around the house, cheering on the Packers and Badgers football teams, and telling many stories to his grandsons.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Karen; his two children, Joe (Jazmin) Nikolay of Georgetown, TX, and Jill (Andrew) Sowada of Saint Paul, MN; and his two grandsons, Erich and Gabriel. He is also survived by his siblings Sharol (Bill) Lehnertz, Dave (Nancy) Nikolay, and Kitty Nikolay. He is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Mary Kelley, Jim Nikolay, and Kate Nikolay; and his beloved dog Casey.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am, Friday, December 19th at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, 1079 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN. Visitation will begin an hour prior. Mass will be livestreamed at www.morecommunity.org/watch-mass.

The family extends their gratitude for the thoughts, prayers, pictures, and stories of Paul.