MADISON - Nia Choles was a force and a blessing. She did everything with unwavering intention, love, and purpose. She nurtured her family, ran businesses, and welcomed everyone with strength and compassion.

Nia, a beloved wife, loving mother, devoted grandmother, and generous friend, ascended to heaven to reunite with her Lord and Savior on October 11, 2024. Nia was born January 30, 1935, in Minneapolis, MN, to Gus and Nickie Mangos. She was deeply rooted in her Greek community, attended Greek School, and proudly carried her Greek heritage with pride throughout her life.

At 12, Nia, a talented pianist, played two classical pieces at her sister’s wedding, impressing all in attendance. An accomplished musician from a young age, she sang alto in her church choir from the age of 13 through her entire life. She loved traveling, and began her adventures with her mother on the Queen Elizabeth at age 18. For nearly six months, they traveled Europe, exploring France, Italy, and spending an extended stay in Greece with her family.

In 1955, she married the love of her life, George Choles. Once together, their love was unshakable. Partners in every sense of the word, Nia and George built a life defined by family, faith, and community. As she always said, they were blessed with four wonderful children-Fost, Conn, Denise, and Nick.

Faith was at the center of Nia’s life. She was a founding family member of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, where she and George warmly welcomed newcomers, assuring everyone felt included. She was a dedicated member of the Philoptochos Society, always ready to serve others. Her Bible-the one gifted to her and George for their wedding ceremony-remained on the coffee table in her home as a reminder of their enduring faith and love.

While George coached their sons’ baseball, Nia kept stats for every game, always organized and ever meticulous. When her granddaughter, Anna, showed an interest in middle school volleyball, Nia immediately went out and purchased season tickets for Badgers Volleyball games, a tradition they’d cherish every season since. Nia’s love for sports extended far and wide- everything Badgers, Packers, Brewers, Mallards, and Bucks. Nia pitched for her high school softball team, she was a lifelong and award-winning bowler, even bowling six months pregnant with her son, Nick. For more than 60 years, she and George held Badgers football and basketball season tickets and she served ten years on the board of the men’s Badgers Basketball Boosters, including a term as President.

Nia’s talents extended far beyond the realm of sports. As a co-founder of George’s Flowers, she served as the financial anchor of their business. Nia carried the same level of care and attention to detail into family gatherings, where her legendary Greek cooking and baking was at the heart of every celebration. Her meals were prepared with love, served on fine china, and executed with precision. Even last week, she gave a gentle but firm reminder that dessert forks, not dinner forks, were to be used with birthday cake.

She was an intelligent and contemporary woman. Nia delighted in daily crosswords (confidently done in pen), never shied away from new technology, and always dressed stylishly. As George said, “She’s gorgeous and smart as hell!”

Nia’s life was marked by love, laughter, and enduring faith-a life well-lived, a family well- nurtured, and a community forever changed by her presence. Nia’s legacy is the love she poured into her family, her faith, and the many friendships she built over a lifetime. Her family knew her as a constant source of support, wisdom, and joy. Her wisdom, humor, and grace will remain a guiding light for us all. As we reflect on the extraordinary life she lived, we are comforted knowing that she and George are reunited in heaven, holding hands, watching over us, sharing orange sherbet with chocolate sauce, and cheering on the Badgers from above.

Nia is survived by her children, Fost (Colleen) Choles, Conn (Diana) Choles, Denise (Robert) Schultz, and Nick (Darylnn) Choles; her grandchildren, Alexa, Christopher, Kalli, Sophia, Loran, Ian, Anna, and Jack; her extended grandchildren, Lindsey and Garrett; and extended great-grandchildren, Jocelyn and Logan. We are all so blessed to have shared our lives with Nia. May her memory be eternal.

A funeral service will be held at ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 11 N. Seventh St., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, with Father Christodoulos Margellos presiding. A reception will immediately follow. A visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be gifted in Nia’s name to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Nia Choles

January 30, 1935 - October 11, 2024

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