Nicolas J. LaVigne, of Star Prairie, WI, passed away unexpectedly on March 12th, 2018, at the Arizona Renaissance Festival from natural causes. Nick was born July 20th, 1948, in Minneapolis, MN, to Norman "Stoney" and Bernice LaVigne. He graduated from Wayzata High School and continued his education at the Dunwoody Institute. He also served in the U.S. Army until 1973. In 1979, Nick married Barbara Hougdahl, and they had three children, Tyler, Anna, and Tucker. Nick began his own leather business, selling handmade pieces at several venues. In the span of his career as a artisan, he spent over 45 years selling at countless art fairs, renaissance festivals, and most notably, the Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Renaissance Festival. While he wasn't in his workshop, he cared for his Koi ponds, which he designed and built. He and Barb loved to create beautiful gardens around their home and collected unique, beautiful works from fellow artists. Nick's eccentric collections were legendary; i.e. owning over 400 of those ridiculous singing fish plaques. He will be remembered for so much, especially his boundless sense of humor. Nobody could ever out-joke Nick. That is a gift that his children already carry on. As much as he loved fireworks, fine boxed-wine, and poker, he loved his friends and family the most. Countless people have shared stories of his selfless generosity. Nick is survived by: his three children, Tyler, Anna, and Tucker; brother Jeff LaVigne (Paula), sisters Leanne Clemons (Jerry), and Edythe McEwen. Also, sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and many lucky friends. Preceded in death by: wife, Barb; parents Stoney, Bernice, and Ina LaVigne.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at East Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Kathy Pennington officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 – 7 PM on Friday at the Williamson~White Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 222 Harriman Avenue Amery, Wisconsin and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Internment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to RESCU Foundation,Inc. (Renaissance Entertainers Services and Crafters United). https://www.rescufoundation.org/helping-others/donations-and-gifts.html

Or Serenity Home ( https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/serenityhome/what_we_do ). These organizations were very dear to both Nick and Barb.

Nick was one of the many participants of the festival community who spent much of
his life uninsured, and with no safety net. Serenity Home provides many
resources to local residents who are in need of food, shelter, or aid with
substance abuse.