Nicholas Stepaniak

1981 - 2023

Nicholas Adam Stepaniak passed away quietly at home on December 19, 2023, in Fate, Texas after a valiant 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 42 years old.

Born in St. Cloud, Minn., on Feb. 8, 1981, he moved with his family to Chippewa Falls, Wis., when he was five years old. He attended school in Chippewa Falls, ultimately graduating from Chippewa Falls Senior High School in 1999. Nick went on to study the University of Minnesota and later the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in English Literature in 2004.

While in college, Nick began dating a fellow Chippewa kid, Susan MacLaughlin. They fell in love and moved to Texas shortly after graduating. They were married on June 7, 2008, in Dallas, Texas.

Nick worked for 17 years at UT-Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Nick joined the staff of UT-Southwestern Medical Center as a Clinic Staff Assistant in Dermatology in 2006 and worked with UT-Southwestern through several roles in ambulatory services and overseeing health system analytics for UT-Southwestern's internal medicine team. His most recent work included automating procedures and developing quantitative and visual tools to support clinical decision-making. He also served on the Patient and Family Advisory Council at the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and was a student in UT-Southwestern's graduate program focused on healthcare informatics. Those who collaborated with him at UT-Southwestern found him to be always willing to help, with a cheerful, patient approach to managing and teaching data tools.

He was a hands-on dad who loved his family immensely - his greatest source of pride and joy were his boys, Xander and Liam. He was there for moments big and small - from bedtime stories and band concerts to taekwondo tournaments and science experiments - he loved spending time with them and watching them grow.

Nick was happiest at home with the people he loved. He loved Dad jokes. He loved making obnoxiously complicated meals like homemade paella and mushroom risotto, craft beer and mead, and even tried his hand at making his own cheese (that one mercifully only lasted a few months...). He was a nerd's nerd - he loved Dungeons and Dragons, The Hobbit, and The Simpsons. His ability to master games of all kinds - video games, board games, card games, you name it - was second to none.

Nick is survived by his wife, Susan MacLaughlin; sons Alexander and William Stepaniak; parents, Richard and Teresa Stepaniak; brother, Christoper (Susan) Stepaniak; nephew, Jack Stepaniak; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and a wide network of the best friends a guy could ever ask for.

There aren't enough words in the world to explain Nick's impact on his family and friends, but it's important to know that Nick will be remembered for his infectious laughter, warm spirit, and unwavering love for family and friends. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to share in his journey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

A celebration of Nick's life will be held on Feb. 16 at noon at The Pablo Center in Eau Claire, Wis. Friends and family are invited to join in remembering a man whose love and laughter touched the lives of many.

The family wishes to thank Nick's healthcare team at UT Southwestern Medical Center, particularly Syed Kazmi, MD and the entire team at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. You gave Nick and our family the greatest gift of time, and we will be forever grateful.