Nicolas David Tolentino

Nicolas David Tolentino was born on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, 1989, in Manhattan, Kan. He was the first child of Elias Chaveiro Tolentino and Beth Hartenstein Tolentino. Nick was the family's biggest Thanksgiving blessing, the North Star and the Prince of the family until he passed away at home on Friday morning, Oct. 10, 2025, from the effects of seizures.
Nick was born with severe developmental and intellectual disabili-ties that led to multiple, chronic health issues which challenged him throughout his life. Yet he thrived thanks to the hard work of many, many medical professionals, case workers, educators and caregivers. Throughout his life, he and his family were kindly loved, prayed for, and lifted up by their "cloud of witnesses."
As a very young child Nick attended an early intervention program through Big Lakes Developmental Center. He then went to the Early Childhood Lab on the K-State campus until he was school age. He attended Amanda Arnold Elementary School, Anthony Middle School and Manhattan High School, taking part in regular and special education classroom activities. He then lived briefly in a group home in Manhattan before returning home to live under the care of his parents and home health nurses. Nick had the remarkable skill of communicating without language, and he truly altered the lives of everyone he met. He imbued those who cared for him with the Fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
He is survived by his parents, of Manhattan, sisters Claire Carty-Tolentino (Kevin) of Washington, D.C., and Sophia Kenney-Tolentino (Patrick) of Laramie, Wyo., grandmother Carolee Hartenstein, of Wichita, aunts, uncles and cousins in the United States, Brazil and Portugal.
"The Lord has gathered him up." – Carolee Hartenstein
A visitation will be held 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Wednesday, October15, 2025, at the Arrow Cocktail Lounge Back Room, Manhattan, Kansas.
A Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 am Thursday, October16, 2025, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Manhattan, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Arc or National Epilepsy Foundation, contributions may be left in care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502 To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nicolas, please visit our floral store.