John Nitzsche, 59, of Hutchinson, died December 26, 2019, at his home. He was born May 8, 1960, in Pratt, to Denny and Sharon (Amerine) Nitzsche.

John graduated from Fairfield High School in 1978. He was a production technician at Jackson Dairy.

John was a devoted father and grandfather and loved to spend time with his family. He had a very special relationship with his grandsons, with Aiden being his "partner in crime". John was a lifelong athlete. He played basketball, football, and baseball in high school and softball throughout his adult life. John never knew an enemy. He could make friends with anyone and always had a smile.

John is survived by: daughter, Chelsea Penner (Ryan), and grandsons, Aiden and Caleb Penner, all of Hutchinson; grandson, Levi Tatro, Attica; sister, Diana Skomal (Tim), Langdon; aunt, Vicki Wells, Dodge City; uncle, Bill Amerine, Kingman; niece, Meghan Smith (Quanah), Oklahoma; niece, Morgan Cook (Trey), Iowa; and  nephew, Tyler Skomal, Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and daughter, Ashley Nitzsche.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, January 4, 2020, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with Pastor Matt Stafford officiating . Burial will follow in Lerado Cemetery, Langdon. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Elliott Mortuary. Visitation with family present will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. The family asks that everyone dress comfortably for the service, as that is what John would want.

Memorials are suggested to the John Nitzsche Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.