Service: A Celebration of Nich’s Life will begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 27th at the Canton Performing Arts Center, Canton SD. A time of refreshments and fellowship will follow the service in the lobby of the performing arts center.
Nicholas Brent Joslyn, age 68, died Monday, June 4, 2026 at Madonna VAU Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Nich was born on December 5, 1957 to Thomas and Kathryn Joslyn in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Sioux Falls Washington in 1975. He attended USD in Vermillion and Huron College where he graduated in 1979.
He married his wife, Colleen, on June 14, 1980. He taught and coached in Winner, SD from 1979 – 1983. Their daughter Ashley was born on May 14, 1981. They moved to Wagner, SD where Nich taught and was head wrestling coach for 1 year. Tyler joined their family on December 31, 1984. They moved to Sioux Falls, SD where Nich taught at Children’s Home Society. He was also a middle school football coach and assistant wrestling coach at Sioux Falls Washington. Zachary joined their family on January 29, 1988.
Nich started teaching and coaching in Canton in 1989. He taught psychology, government, sociology, 7th grade social studies, SD history, civics, and driver’s ed. He was head wrestling coach along with middle school football and wrestling. He was a high school assistant coach for wrestling, track and football. He was also a student council advisor and dean of students.
Nich and Colleen moved to Grand Island, Nebraska in August of 2020. Their son and grandchildren lived there and they wanted more time with them. Being a grandparent brought great joy and adventure to their lives. In late August of 2021, Nich was bitten by a mosquito and came down with West Nile. They also discovered Nich had Guillain-Barre syndrome. He was on a vent for 4 ½ years at Madonna’s VAU Center.
He is survived by his wife Colleen; sons Tyer and Zach; grandchildren Emmett and Jaida Joslyn; brother Steve (Joan) Joslyn; brothers-in-law Kerry (Wendy) Lindblad and Ken (Deb) Lindblad; sister-in-law Daisy Lindblad; along with several nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his daughter Ashley; his parents; and brother-in-law Scott. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the Canton Performing Arts Center. A time of refreshments and fellowship will follow the service in the lobby of the performing arts center. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the family to help with Nich’s final expenses. Because Nich enjoyed living life to the fullest, we encourage attendees to wear bright or joyful colors.
MY SYMPATHY TO COLLEEN AND THE FAMILY ON YOUR GREAT LOSS. HE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS A GREAT TEACHER WHO CARED ABOUT EVERY STUDENT. MAY OUR GREAT GOD GRANT YOU ALL PEACE AND COMFORT.
Rest in peace, my old friend Nick……..my colleague on the Canton High School faculty, a great conversationalist, and also my part-time painting partner on the teachers’ summer painting crew. Nick was a great guy, a good friend. Good memories, never to be forgotten.