Nicholas “Nick” Thomas Annuschat, 59, of Okarche passed away Friday, November 6, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City.
Nick was the seventh child of Arthur Frank and Ruth Janet (Brueggen) Annuschat and was born December 21, 1960.
Nick grew up on the family farm northeast of Okarche where he lived and worked until his death.
Nick graduated from Okarche High School in 1979 and went on to earn his Associates Degree in Animal Science at El Reno Junior College.
He was a member of the 1979 championship basketball team at Okarche and was named to the all-tournament team. Nick was an avid basketball fan and attended many of Okarche and Kingfisher’s basketball games every year, and always managed to talk about the championship team he was a part of with everyone he came across. High school ball was only the tip of Nick’s sporting interest he also watched college football, NFL, and NBA nearly every day. If he wasn’t watching ESPN odds are he was watching “Deal or No Deal,” “The Lone Ranger,” “King of the Cage,” or “Cops.”
In Nick’s later years, sports weren’t the only thing that got him off the farm, he always watched the Riverwind Casino concert schedule and attended many of his favorite bands concerts. He would tell his brother Larry to get tickets and a limo so that they could go. He went to see Styx, Alan Parsons, Kansas, and Foreigner. He always invited friends and family to go and never had a bad time. He was never more proud than when he swindled his way on to the stage to actually meet his idol, Alan Parsons.
Concerts and sports were only a couple of the things Nick was excited about. He also enjoyed raising his award-winning Suffolk sheep with his brother Ron. Together they managed to build a herd that won the Best Suffolk Consignment award many times over the last several years. No accomplishment Nick had matched when he and Ron won not only the Best Suffolk Consignment award at the 2019 Midwest Stud Ram Sale, but also the Overall Best Consignment of any breed at the sale where they had both the Grand Champion Ram and the Grand Champion Ewe.
Sheep were a small portion of Nick’s livestock. He raised a countless number of Holstein steers over the years and managed to create a name that was very well-known to the people at Superior Livestock Auction where he marketed all of his cattle for over 20 years. Nick not only took care of his own cattle but helped countless neighbors pull baby calves and doctor any and all of their livestock. People knew that if they needed help with something Nick would always be there as fast as he could to help with the problem.
Nick was loved by many, and not only adults. People would bring their kids to the farm all the time to see the animals. He would always be ready to give them a four-wheeler ride and stop by the house for some ice cream and never failed to become their favorite “uncle” before they left.
Nick was an important man to many in the community and also in his family. He became the go to guy during times of trouble and solved problems with a level head and diplomacy that can’t be matched. Nick is survived by his brother Larry Annuschat of Okarche; and sisters Vicki Marks (Terry) of Omega, Sandy Raupe (Richard) of Okarche, Denise Meyer (Mike) of Salina, Kansas, and Jackie Walta (Chris) of Kingfisher. He is also survived by his loving nephews, nieces, and great-nephews and great-nieces who provided him so much enjoyment.
He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Ruth Annuschat and his brothers Paul, Stanley, David and Ron.
Public Viewing was Tuesday November 10, at Sanders Funeral Chapel in Kingfisher.
A private graveside service for immediate family was Wednesday, November 11, at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in Okarche. It was be officiated by Father Cory Stanley and Pastor James Inman.
Services were under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service, Kingfisher.
Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Center of Family Love, and First Baptist Church all of Okarche.
