Niklaus Woodrow Jimenez Krause, son of Chrissy and Klint Krause, was born in Wheatridge, Colorado on August 23, 1993. He was raised and educated in Eaton, Colorado, graduating from Eaton High School in 2012. On February 13, 2016, Nik was involved in a serious car accident which occurred on Hwy 85 and WCR 76 in Eaton. He passed due to a severe head injury on February 17, 2016 at NCMC, surrounded by family and friends. He passed peacefully with the help and tender, loving care from NCMC’s ICU nurses and doctors.

Growing up, Niklaus was a small but active child. At the age of three, he referred to himself as an “old toddler”. He had a great interest in ants, spiders, and any kind of insect he could get his hands on. One of his favorites was a long millipede named Mr. Bigglesworth. His family always had dogs, so he learned to love and care for them, also involving pet sitting for others. After being diagnosed with Tourette’s, he adopted an English Bulldog, Ozwald Chubowski, aka “Chubbs”. Chubbs was constantly beside him and was his therapy companion, which he loved dearly.

Nik was a gentle soul, and enjoyed playing tennis and coaching Cara tennis during his summers. After graduation, he attended AIMS Community College for a short period but did not find his true calling there. He then started working at Wild West Harley Davidson where he became a motorcycle enthusiast. At the age of 20, he became an iron steel worker for Total Welding in Denver, working with his brother-in-law, Michael Schermann and his brother, Sam. His profession was to fabricate the skeleton of buildings into the sky. He learned the craft of welding, constructing each floor with huge girders on which he walked, and also the placing of huge steel plates for the floors. He conquered the fear of heights and became a valued member of experienced men. He was accepted as a man walking among the ironworker’s brotherhood. He learned and accepted many challenges including working in all seasons of the year, in rain, snow, cold, or hot weather. He was proud of his extremely strong, muscular, slender body developed through all the heavy lifting performed daily. His work ethic was second to none.

His illness then restricted more of his life’s activities. When his health began to fail, he moved home and began a series of multiple doctors and hospital visits. He remarked one day that he was, “sick and tired of being poked, prodded, and feeling ill all the time.” On October 18, 2015, his maternal grandparents and his mom took him to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for a two week evaluation. It did not produce any diagnostic results. However, his Mama would not let him give up. Nik had a great fighting spirit, refusing to allow his illnesses to defeat him.

One of his passions was target shooting. He was very knowledgeable about the guns he owned, became an expert in cleaning and maintaining his guns of many calibers, and was a dead-eye shot. He enjoyed many hours target practicing at rural gun ranges. Another favorite pastime was using his computer skills to compete in games across state lines with his great friend Keenan Hall. He was Grammy Kolhoff’s and GrandMary’s computer IT person. His most valuable gift was his ability to play piano. His music was a comfort to himself and to all others that were priviledged to hear him play.

He is survived by his parents, Chrissy and Klint Krause, his sister, Clair, his brother, Sam, his grandparents, Manuel and Mary Jimenez and Juanita and Henry Kolhoff, Emmett and Michael Schermann, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was blessed with the love of two very special, supportive friends in his life, Dr. Teva Stone, DVM and Dr. April Sparpana, D.C.

If you would like to bring a favorite picture of Nik to the viewing of wake, we would like to craft a collage for the family to keep and treasure. Nik requested that everyone wear colorful, casual clothing to match his unfiltered and colorful character. Blessings to you all.

Memorial gifts may be made to Klint and Chrissy Krause, in care of Moser Funeral and Cremation Service, 3501 S. 11th Avenue, Evans, Colorado 80620, to be donated to a charity of their choice at a later date.

A viewing will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at the Moser Funeral Service Chapel, 3501 S. 11th Avenue in Evans. A wake will be held in Nik’s honor from 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at the Eaton Country Club, 37661 CR 39 in Eaton.