17 Mar Nic West
Nicolas West, 29, Bismarck, passed away March 13, 2023. Memorial services will be on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Bismarck Funeral Home. The service will be livestreamed on the Nic’s page on the funeral home website.
Nicolas (Nic) Grady West was born on September 16, 1993, in Worms, Germany. Nicolas was a loving son to Mike and Kristin West, and he became a loving partner to Alexis and an even more loving dad to their kids: Aubrey Rose, Aiden Michael, and Andre Matthew.
Nicolas attended Rita Murphy Elementary School, Simile Middle School, and Century High School, where he graduated with the class of 2012. During his time at school, Nic played baseball (6 years) and football (4 years), but his true passion was discovered when he started racing. He loved being on that race track every Friday and would race with everything that his car had. His racing motto was “GO BIG or GO HOME!” This was no more apparent than when he won the Drive to Survive Race (Breast Cancer Awareness) in honor of his mom, who at that time was being treated for breast cancer. It was on the track that we all learned something about Nicolas. From him, we learned that even if he had a bad night or felt he was cheated, he wasn’t going to stop racing and that there would be another race the next week, often saying, I am leaving this race here on this track, and I will be back next Friday to show them what I have. We learned that even when it didn’t seem right or fair, we would get another Friday to show those around us what we really could do.
For the past six years, Nicolas worked at Capital Heights, where his co-workers became a second family. Nic was one heck of a great mechanic, always willing to help. His passion for his job and for cars didn’t develop when he started working at Capital Heights, but when he was just a little kid, you couldn’t go into a store without Nic leaving the store with a brand-new car to add to his collection, a collection that seemed to include every HotWheel every made.
Nicolas was kind and always had a smile, especially around those he loved, and that included the many four-legged friends that he acquired because Nic never met a dog who he didn’t love and who didn’t love him back, including his last best friend Maggie Mae, who was with Nic until the end.
Nicolas was great with kids, his younger cousins, his nephews, and his own. He loved them, and they loved him. Nicolas simply was a great dad!
Nicolas is survived by his parents, Mike and Kristin West; his siblings, Alexia, Skyler, and Kaitlin; his partner Alexis and their three children, Aubrey, Aiden, and Andre; two nephews, Elijah and Bentley; grandparents, Dennis and Pam Freier, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and of course his Maggie Mae.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents Darrell and Gloria West, and great-grandparents on both sides of the family.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Nic sounds like he had a beautiful heart. I pray for all of you to find peace and strength. Sending so much love and huge hugs. ❤️🙏❤️
I am so sorry for your loss! You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sorry to hear about Nic! He was a very kind and respectful person! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the family
Kristen and Mike, hugs wont ease your pain. Words can’t wipe your tears. But, hold on to your memories.
Nicolas was very special to us. He was like a 3rd son to Brian and I.
Hanging with Taylor and Braydon, doing typical boy things. Nic had this fearless side to him when riding go carts, motorcycles, snowmobiles riding past our house at excess speeds. Like a mother, I would be yelling at him Nicolas, slow down before you get hurt. Thank goodness my boys were not as fearless as him. So many talents he had , that all things came natural to him. If it was taking things apart, and putting back together. He was such a motor head. We always joked that he was so much like Brian that he should have been his son. It was fitting that he end up working for Brian as one of the main mechanics. We will miss him dearly as a part of our family, and of the capital height family. May he Rest In Peace!
We love you Nicolas!!!
Thoughts n prayers for your family
So sorry for your loss my friend, You and all your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Our hearts hurt for you, losing a son, sibling or any close family member is painful but with the knowledge that you were the best you could be for him helps us through! Yes you were! And knowledge that you will see him again, makes life easier without them! You will come through stronger! And death sting will not overtake you, you know where your strength lies! He is your Strong Tower! So run into Him!
I apologize in advance if this is a bit lengthy. Though I think most of you on know, some of you may not, my name is Brady Stockert, and I am a longtime neighbor and friend of Nic’s since childhood. I am still shocked and deeply saddened by his untimely death and unfortunately cannot make it out for the funeral, so I wanted to write on his page in honor of him.
I first met Nic when I was in the 2nd grade. His family had just moved in down the road, and to my surprise, they had someone around my age, which I thought was cool. My dad and I took a 3 wheeler out for a ride but sadly the thing died on us right in front of the West’s. Nic and Kristen were nice enough to help push us all the way back to our house, all while introducing themselves. Gradually, in the time shortly after, Nic and I got to know each other, not only due to being neighbors but because we both liked riding anything with a motor. When he first moved in, Nic would ride his dirt bike down the road and back non-stop, at about 100 miles an hour, until the thing broke, then he started using our stuff, which only brought us closer. The thing is, I was always more cautious and kept it at a speed limit. But not Nic. Nic wasn’t afraid of anything: jumps, speed, wheelies, wiping out, etc. He was always fearless and was born for riding, sometimes to the point of fearing having to ride in the back with him driving.
When we were in middle school, he showed up at the house, but my dad and I were going to the races, which I hadn’t been to in years. I asked Nic if he would want to join, since he had never been to a dirt race. He agreed and from that point on, he was hooked. Nic and I went to just about every race, every Friday for years afterwards. Nic became part of the crew and not only came to races in Mandan, but Dickinson, Minot, and best of all, the Stampede in Jamestown, where we had lots of fun and good memories. Ironically, even though I had been brought up in the sport and he was introduced later, I was molded into it but Nic was born for it. As previously mentioned, Nic was fearless and could ride or drive anything without care. Eventually, he started racing himself and kicked ass doing it! Though Nic was competitive and loved to race, he was always a good sport, who got along with other racers and avoided any drama around the sport. He was just there to have a good time and do what he loved.
Growing up, Nic would often show up at our house, unannounced, often after school, and on a regular basis, to the point that my parents considered him their third son. We even thought about including him in our family pictures one year, with him peeking through the back window, which he always did. Growing up, Nic didn’t like to just sit down. He preferred to be outside, riding something, jumping sleds, shooting pellet guns, exploring. You name it. Being the homebody child I was, I sometimes didn’t enjoy Nic having me go outside as much as he did. However, as I got older, and learned to appreciate the importance of going outside as a child, I became grateful for Nic giving me such a great opportunity.
One of my favorite memories has to be when we were jumping off hay bales in the neighbor’s yard and I landed too hard and twisted my ankle. Nic was nice enough to help me back to my parent’s house and was nice to just let me quit. I always told him that that moment showed what type of spirit he had, even when he doubted it.
Sadly, Nic and I have not had as much contact within the last few years, as I have been living out of state. But when I came back home recently, he excitingly asked me to check out his house. I remember seeing that and admiring how much he accomplished, especially as me being a man with a college degree, unlike Nic, yet no house to speak of, unlike Nic.
I could go on forever about my memories of Nic and everything we did together and maybe I will have more opportunities in the future. But for now, this is one’s for Nic. Thanks for all the memories, the fights (the good ones), the bonfires, the trip to Grand Forks, the visit at my 21st, the races, the 3-wheeler rides and wipe outs, volunteering to act in my movies, exploring the canals in the spring, shooting pellet guns, giving each other rides to school after we each lost our driver’s licenses, having bonfires in the snow and rain while getting smoked out, the chats, the car rides, and much, much more.
I will forever miss you man! I know you’re up there sitting by a fire and listening to C.R.E.A.M. and I can’t wait to join you when my time comes.
Oh, and Wu-Tang!!!!
We are so sorry for your loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time! God bless!
There are no words to express the loss you’re feeling. Keep his memories alive and talk to him. May God Bless You All. We pray God can give you strength to ease your pain and sorrow. Time and Faith will get you through this difficult time.