Sheldon D. Niquette

Sheldon “Shel” David Niquette, 77, of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and teacher, died on January 23, 2021, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Appleton from complications due to Covid-19.

Shel was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Dianne, for what would have been 55 years in just a few weeks. He was a nurturing father to four sons, who learned by his example to work hard, be kind and considerate to everyone, and to meet every challenge with a positive attitude. He was a loved and admired father-in-law to three daughters he never had, and an adored grandfather to four grandchildren.

He was a lifelong educator — starting as a summer school janitor, becoming a teacher and administrator, and ending his career as interim superintendent. When asked once whether he regretted giving up teaching for administration, he replied, “I don’t think I did.” He was the kind of teacher that students never forgot and a leader who would always make you feel good about yourself — even when he was turning you down for a job.

Shel was a passionate and gifted singer, whose warm tenor voice was strong, even when breath support became more difficult. He was a longtime cantor and choir member at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kaukauna and also sang Barbershop for years, including lead in the J.L. & the Faculty quartet. He loved singing with his sons. He loved fishing – especially with his sons – whether it was for trout when he had waders or panfish when he had a boat. He was an avid reader, a good cribbage partner and poker buddy, a loyal fan of the Packers and Brewers (and year-round brat griller). He never missed a beautiful sunset.

He had an irrepressible sense of humor that never left him, even in his final hours as he sang “Show Me the Way to Go Home.’’ Or when he’d say “I need an attitude adjustment” while straightening the “Attitude” pin he wore on his lapel. (He liked giving these pins to other people.) He was a role model in how he refused to accept the limitations of a serious chronic illness or have his life be defined by it. He was the kind of person that people would do anything for, because he would do anything for them. He was so much more, as anyone will tell you – even those left with a lasting impression after the briefest encounter with him.

Sheldon was born June 11, 1943, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, to the late Adolph and Beatrice (Tuch) Niquette. He graduated from Washington High School in Two Rivers in 1961 and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in French, as well as a master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He worked for 34 years in the Kaukauna Area School District, as an elementary teacher at Park School, a reading specialist; a principal at Park, Nicolet and Harrison schools; and as director of human resources and interim superintendent for the district before retiring in 1999.

He is survived by his wife, Dianne (Naidl), whom he married February 19, 1966; four sons and three daughters-in-law, Scott and his wife, Julie (Jezeski) of Kaukauna; Mark and his wife, Lisa (Williams) of Columbus, Ohio; Todd and his wife, Alyce (Dixon) of Appleton, and Dean of Appleton; four grandchildren, Melanie and fiancé Jon Hamblin of St. Paul, Minnesota; Emily and husband Riley Grasee of Green Bay; Matthew and Jack; two sisters, Lenore McDonough and Sharon Hallada of Two Rivers; three sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law, Linda and Richard Naidl of Menomonee Falls, Dorothy and Jack Reindl of Cedarburg, Jean Naidl and Tony Zucchi, both of Manitowoc; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, good friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Raymond and Helen Naidl; a brother, Robert; a sister, Mary Therese Hallada; a sister-in-law, Kathleen Zucchi; and several nieces and nephews.

Shel was a longtime and faithful member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, where he was a cantor and Celebrator choir member since 1975 and a member of the Queen of Peace Choir. He was also an altar distributor and sacristan at the church. He was a past member of Kau-Chute Barbershoppers and a Barbershopper of the Year winner; a former member and president of the Unison Credit Union Board of Directors; a member of the Walsh Family Fund Board of Directors; a past board member of Kaukauna Community Players, an inductee into the Kaukauna High School Performing Arts Hall of Fame, a Kaukauna Alumni Association award winner; and a past member of the Elks Club.

Because of current public health circumstances, a private mass is being planned, and can be viewed at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 26 by visiting this site.

As soon as time allows for people to gather safely, a public celebration of Shel’s life will also be held at a later date.

For more information, to express condolences and view an online broadcast of the Funeral Mass once it’s scheduled, please visit this page at that time.