Nicole Kathryn Larson, 22, of New Lenox, IL stepped into eternity on September 5, 2026. She was the cherished daughter of Theodore and Karen Larson. Dearly loved sister of Nathan Larson, Caitlin & George Perosky. Beloved granddaughter of Ed & Carol Perosky and “Grandma” Karen Camp and treasured aunt of Caroline Perosky.

She is survived by her aunt and Godmother Becky Nilsson, Uncle & Aunt Dave & Marie Larson and cousins Michael (Christine) & Stephanie Larson, Aunt Rene’ Kuzemka-Kroener (Paul), cousins Benjamin (Lucy), Zachary (Madison) & Christian Kuzemka. And her extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins on the Kuzemka and Perosky sides of the family.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Stephen & Gloria Kuzemka and Ted & Emilie Larson and her dear uncles Mark Kuzemka and Steve Perosky.

Our Leap Year Baby, Nicole, was born February 29, 2004. From her first steps taken we knew there would be no stopping her. She was a budding entrepreneur who tried her hands at many business ventures, from selling Girl Scout cookies, babysitting, organizing family garage sales, to pet sitting services. As she grew so did her interests. They were vast and far reaching--from ballroom dancing and aerial (think Cirque du Soleil) to photographing trains. The same can be said of her taste in music. On any given day you may find her listening to classical orchestral pieces, love songs from the 60’s, dancing to disco with her headphones on, grunge, heavy metal, classic rock, meditative soundscapes or even belting out Broadway show tunes. She played the stand-up bass, electric bass guitar and most recently began to teach herself how to play the piano. Her greatest passion though was animals. If they had four legs, big or small, they had Nicole’s heart. Her pets were her world. Nicole’s love for animals had her moving forward with her plans to be a Vet Tech.

In this day and age of texting or posting one’s thoughts on social media—Nicole was surprisingly private. She preferred to journal—taking pen to paper. She always had a notebook tucked in her purse or backpack. Art was her other go-to passion. She enjoyed painting, sketching and working with her hands to create jewelry and other forms of art.

In her short time here with us she touched many lives leaving a lasting impression. Nicole never met a stranger—she truly listened to what people had to say and looked directly at them with those striking Elizabeth Taylor violet-blue eyes. In her circle of friends, she was known as Niki. As someone close to Niki recently wrote to us, “She had a radiance that shone from within and touched all those who were fortunate to be in that …. that light…that enthusiasm made all her adversities in life pale in comparison”.

It is impossible for us to list all the friends and family who have loved and supported Nicole over the years, but trust us, she knew who you were. Her steady foundation rocks have been Kathy (Tony) Sielski (aka. Auntie M), Keith (Joel) Forrest, Sheri (Jim) Manno and her dear Godfather, Steve (Linda) Bynum. Her tried-and-true go-to friends have been Shannon, Ella, Luke, Colin, Jordan, Jake and Jon.

Nicole was stronger than she thought, sentimental to a fault and trusted in her guiding spiritual light. She was drawn to Monarch butterflies. If you know-you know. She loved and was deeply loved.

Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel 102 E. Francis Rd, New Lenox, IL for a visitation on Thursday September 17, 2026, from 3PM until 7PM. Funeral Service 10 AM Friday September 18, 2026, 8410 W 131st St, Palos Park, IL 60464. Interment Marshall Cemetery Mokena, IL. 

In Nicole’s memory, in lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to NAWS, a No-Kill Humane Society http:www.nawsus.org or to St. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church https://sspeterandpauluoc.net/ earmarked for the Eternal Candle.