Nick O Theisen passed away peacefully in Hospice care in Spokane on December 6, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. He spoke of it, laughed at it and invited a Bonners Ferry audience to laugh with him at the Pearl Theater for one show only almost a year ago.
He stopped by on his way home the next morning marveling at the audience, the synergy, the connection. Coming here, he worried the trip might drain him. He left invigorated.
Born October 25, 1954, to Orval and Aileene Theisen, he grew up in Spokane alongside his siblings, Stephanie Theisen, John Theisen, and Mary Kay (Theisen) McCollum.
After graduating from Shadle Park High School, Nick took out a map of the US, dropped his finger on Kansas City, Missouri, and packed up his Chevy Malibu, where he would start his more than two-decade long-travels across the country. While a salesman by day, Nick’s humor and storytelling took root in Los Angeles where he began his nearly 40-year career in stand-up comedy.
After returning to Spokane, he married his wife, Lynne Marie (McArthur) Theisen, in 1989 and raised their two children, Travis Theisen and Kailee (Theisen) Miller. Nick’s joy in life grew even greater in 2023 with the birth of his granddaughter, Lillian Miller. As a husband, father, and “gam-pa,” Nick continued to bring laughter to audiences nationwide, becoming a fixture in the Spokane comedy scene and beyond.
Known for his sharp wit and inviting presence, Nick had a unique ability to connect with people. In an industry ripe with the opportunity to be cold, Nick was anything but. His love for people would set the stage for the close community that surrounded him with support following his diagnoses of several types of cancer.
Nick’s unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, coupled with the love of his family, friends, and his dedicated doctor, fueled his seemingly endless strength and positivity throughout his nearly five-year battle.
Refusing to let hardship define him, Nick, alongside his great friend Eric, turned his journey into a source of hope and inspiration through their podcast, Finding Chemo.
With candid and humorous conversations with fellow patients and healthcare professionals, Nick provided a space for laughter and healing amid darkness. In 2022, Finding Chemo hosted a benefit show at the Bing Crosby Theater to support Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, one of many comedy benefits Nick championed over the years.
Nick’s legacy of generosity and warmth was evident to the very end, as loved ones overflowed his hospital and hospice rooms to express their gratitude. Each filled with stories of his kindness and humor he shared so freely, touching countless lives during his 70 years with us.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice House of Spokane in gratitude for the exceptional compassion and care they provided during Nick’s final days.
Nick will be remembered not only for his contagious laughter and joy, but for how well he loved every person he met. All of us were incredibly blessed to have a devoted and loyal friend like Nick, knowing that when we were down, troubled, or needed a helping hand, he was just a call away.