Dominic Jose "Nuku" Ochoa
September 20, 2003 - August 20, 2020
Obituary
COTTAGE GROVE, Wis. / MIAMI, Fla. - Dominic José “Nuku” Ochoa, age 16, formerly of Cottage Grove, Wis., who recently moved to Miami, Fla., passed away on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. He was born on Sept. 20, 2003, in Madison, the son of Jose Ochoa and Donna (Saeck) Cross. Dominic attended Monona Grove High School. He was very bright, curious, and charismatic, positively impacting everyone who knew him. He loved learning about topics that interested him such as chemistry, languages, history, and biology. His passions included listening to music, cooking, traveling, collecting Nike Air Jordan and Air Force 1 shoes, and spending time on the beach. He especially enjoyed long boarding with his older sister and playing video games and wrestling with his younger brother. As a youngster, he enjoyed karate, Cottage Grove baseball, and was a member of Pack 145 as a Cub Scout and Troop 132 as a Boy Scout.
Dominic is survived by his father, José Ochoa; mother and stepfather, Donna and Leo Jr. Cross; sister, Vanessa Ochoa; brother, Colin Cross; maternal grandmother, Jean Swalheim; maternal grandfather, Ralph "Don" Saeck; paternal grandfather, José Dario Ochoa; paternal grandmother, Guillermina Carrero Ochoa; step paternal grandfather, Leo Cross, Sr.; and step paternal grandmother, Linda Cross. He is further survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
A celebration of life/funeral service will be held at ABIDING SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 406 West Cottage Grove Road, Cottage Grove, at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, with Pastor Abrahamson presiding. A private burial will be held at Cottage Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, social distancing and face masks are required. If you’d like to participate in the service online, you may do so at www.abidingshepherd.org/livestream. This link will become live at approximately 12:55 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. Please copy link and paste link into web browser at that time.
In lieu of flowers, donations and memorials may be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-dominic-ochoa. Donations may be made by scrolling down to Memorial Contribution section on this page and click on Visit Website to make contributions. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Tue Sep 1, 2020 @ 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
Abiding Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cottage Grove • 406 W. Cottage Grove Road, Cottage Grove, WI 53527
Celebration of Life
Tue Sep 1, 2020 @ 1:00 PM CDT
Abiding Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cottage Grove • 406 W. Cottage Grove Road, Cottage Grove, WI 53527
Photos
No photos of Dominic have been shared yet.
Memories
MH
Michelle Handel
Other •
I am so sorry for your loss he was a great friend to my daughter.
BC
Brenda Clevidence
Other •
I am so sad for you all - Donna and Jose. I’ve known Dom since he started school. He was a great friend to Emily. I was so lucky to get to work with him in class. He was the smartest in the room- always. I’m sure he frustrated teachers - as he was usually smarter than they were in math and science. I was impressed by his intelligence in 2nd/3rd grade. I knew he’d do amazing things. I was lucky enough to see him again last year. So nice, so handsome and always came to talk to me with that huge grin on his face. he was a lovely young man. I miss him already.
MH
Mike Huebner
Other •
I had Dominic as a student while in 6th grade...he was so full of life and was such a brilliant young person. I remember his smile and him knowing that he was usually a few steps ahead of the game while in school. I'm sad to hear this news and wish the very best for his family during these hard times.
Mike Huebner
BK
Barbara Kosak-Schlaefer
Other •
Oh sweet, sweet boy, I wish you were still here with us. You were a light and to be in your company was a joy. My heart aches for your family's loss. I will always remember your infectious smile and your kind and fun spirit. I remember the times you came over to our house to hang out with our son and the times I carted you guys around town and especially the day I took you and Jonny to get matching haircuts at Cost Cutters. When I started calling you "Dimitri" instead of Dominic you told me that you liked your new nickname, you were so easy going that way. You will be greatly missed as you were so loved and cherished.
PB
Peggy Bollig
Other •
I’m so so sorry for this unimaginable loss. Holding you all close in my heart and in my prayers.
GM
Glenn mcgregor
Other •
Whenever I saw your smile, it made me happy. The gleam in your eyes always warmed my heart. Fly now with the angels and rest in the arms of our lord. Aloha dear nephew, until we meet again. May peace find our family in this time of need.