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Nikolaus Ryan Schechter

Nikolaus (Niko) Ryan Schechter, born on July 4, 1992, passed away on Aug. 20, 2017. Born in Gunnison, Colo., Niko moved with his family to the Central Coast in 2000 and graduated from Templeton High School in 2010. At the age of 12, Niko participated in an exchange program to Hyères, France where he fell in love with the French culture, his host, his rugby coaches, and the French cuisine. Niko lived in Minneapolis, Minn. for two years in his early twenties and returned to Templeton where he has resided for the past three years. Niko loved outdoor recreation and learned to downhill ski at age 2. His most recent outdoor adventure was a backcountry ski trip with his father and uncle to Southern Colorado where they skied to a yurt and had a special bonding time with nature. During high school Niko played football and continued to take French language courses. His passion for cooking led him to work for several north county restaurants. Niko enjoyed perfecting his culinary arts skills by preparing pizza in his parents’ outdoor patio pizza oven. There have been many lively pizza nights with family and friends. Niko was a passionate cook who loved to be surrounded by family and friends. He will be fondly remembered for his hugs, warm smile, and how he adored playing with his family pets Luna, Zeus, and new kitty Mrs. Crooks. Niko is survived by his parents, Stan and Monica, brothers Andrew and Alex, and sister Madeline. He is also survived by his grandmothers, Jeanette Andersen (Minneapolis, Minn.), O lga Schechter (Gunnison, Colo.) and Lauretta Orr (Rogers, Minn.), grandfather Lawrence Orr (Big Lake, Minn.), and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins living across the U.S. and Holland. Niko was preceded in death by grandfather Dale Schechter. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m Saturday, Sept. 2, at Live Oak Church in Paso Robles, Calif. A celebration of life picnic will be held from 2–6 p.m. that afternoon at the Templeton Park. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Kayla Peach Memorial Foundation whose mission is to bring awareness, education and empowerment to families and communities about the substance abuse epidemic. To learn more visit: http://www.kaylapeachmemorialfoundation.org.

Gunnison Country Times

218 N. Wisconsin Street
Gunnison, CO 81230
Phone: 970-641-1414