Nicholas Etten Obituary

Etten, Nicholas

Nicholas Joseph Etten, 83, of Sarasota, Florida and formerly Hinsdale, Illinois passed away gently in his sleep on Saturday, January 31st, 2026.

Nick was born on February 19, 1942 in Chicago to Helen (Conway) Etten and Nicholas R. Etten. Nick had an older sister and 2 younger brothers. Nick attended St. Barnabas Grade School and St. Ignatius High School where he was named Ignatian of the Year in 1960. Nick played football at St. Ignatius where he earned the Defensive Catholic School Conference Player of the Year title his senior year. He received a scholarship to play football at the University of Notre Dame and started as a defensive tackle in 1962-1963. Upon graduation, Nick enrolled at Loyola Law School where he graduated in 1966. He began his law practice with the US Attorney's Office and went on to have a successful private litigation practice for several decades.

As a high school senior, Nick was introduced to Carolyn Connors and it was love at first sight. They married in 1965 and during their intensely devoted 56 years of marriage, they were blessed with 4 children and 11 grandchildren. After Carolyn's passing in 2022, Nick went to her gravesite daily to pray, a quiet testament to their enduring love.

Beyond work and family life, Nick enjoyed boating, running, weight lifting, reading, hiking, bike riding and spending time with family.

Nick will be missed by his siblings, Pat Zoeller, Tom Etten (Mary) and John Etten; by his four children and their spouses, Susan and Phil Rooney, Nick and Amy Etten, Jim and Tracy Etten, and Brian and Anne Etten; his eleven grandchildren, Philip Rooney (Madison), Caroline Boehm (Michael), Clare Finn (Brian), Connor Rooney, James Etten, Maddy Etten, Liam Etten, Henry Etten, Ryan Etten, Nicholas Etten and Thomas Etten; and his by his great-granddaughter, Parker Elizabeth Rooney. A private family service will be held to celebrate his life.

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