July 06, 1998 ~ May 04, 2024
Family and friends across the world mourn the loss of our son Nicholas who shared his love for music (trumpet, piano, guitar ukulele, choir and solo vocals, drum, cymbals, percussion), games, books, puzzles, and life with us for 25 years.
Nica, as he was known by his immediate family is mourned by his parents Frauke Bentzien and Jane Wiesen, and his twin brother Jonah Wiesen Bentzien. Nica’s extended family from Jane’s side include his aunts and uncles: Ruth Wiesen and Mike Lozoff, Dan and Anne Wiesen, Mike Wiesen, Patricia Wiesen, Jim and Suzanne Wiesen, Laura Wiesen, and Tom Wiesen, and cousins: Ali, Rachel and Marc with Louie and Reuben, Sarah and Rodney with Naiya and Esme, Benny and Nika (expecting Zoë), Matt and Katy with Yardley and Drake, Alex and Marta with Daniel and Frank, Sarah and Aaron with Murray and Margaret, Claire and Evan, Danielle and DJ with Emma and Abbie, Ellen and Nate with Finley, Dylan and Malone with Fera and Clyde, Ian, Maura and Ricky, Joey, Carly, Sophia, and TJ.
On Frauke’s side, Nica is mourned in Germany by his grandmother Charlotte Bentzien (Oma), and his aunt and uncles Morten Bentzien, and Levke and Peter Bentzien. Other German relatives include Peter and Rita Carstens with Torben, Frederik, and Arne. As well as our Bosnian family Emina and Edib Hodzic, Ina and Muamer with Maid, Emir and Dalila with Nura.
In San Francisco, Nica is mourned by Samantha and Shawn with Colin, Miles and Griffin. In New York, Nica is mourned by Sharon and Anne. In California, Nica is mourned by Jason and Irene. Longtime friends that shared Nica’s love for music include Conrad, Kassio, Martín, and Ryan. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Nicholas Wiesen Bentzien Musicianship Fund, here: https://www.gofundme.com/nwbmusicianship- fund. Nica always found a way to support a budding musician’s need for an instrument of choice. The musicianship fund in his name will allow him to continue to make a difference and bring the joy of music to children.
We said goodbye to Nica while listening to “Blackbird”, the last song that Nica tried to master on his favorite guitar.
Here is part of our favorite Wilco song that we loved to sing on our way to Elementary School every day: Don’t cry You can rely on me, honey You can come by any time you want I’ll be around You were right about the stars Each one is a setting sun Our love Our love Our love is all we have Our love Our love is all of God’s money Everyone is a burning sun
