Nicholas "Nick" Dennis Hamblin, 26 of Byron Minnesota, died October 20, 2016 in an auto accident.

Nick was born August 31, 1990 in Phoenix, Arizona, the son of Joseph Aarron and Rosalind (Penn) Hamblin.

Nick graduated from Byron High School in 2009 and attended Saint Cloud State University. Nick joined the United States Army National Guard in 2012 and was a Specialist E-4.

Nick is survived by his parents: Joseph and Rosalind Hamblin of Byron, Minnesota; aunts and uncles: Rhonda Rae Penn, Anne and Scott Schiave, Timothy and Mary Hamblin, Gerard and Roxann Hamblin, Bridget Hamblin and Michael Schaffner, Joan Hamblin and  David Schifeling, Dennis Hamblin and Mary Martin; and cousins: Joshua, Eva, Ben, Jeff, Chadborne, Kathleen, Caryl, Caitlin, Allison, Erin, Christopher, William, Drew and Myles. Nick was preceded in death by his grandparents: Dennis and Eva Hamblin and Raymond and Leota Penn.

We'll remember Nick as a baby who fought for every breath and wouldn't give up. We'll remember Nick as the smallest child at the Hamblin reunions, playing with his older and bigger cousins; but was never intimidated nor cowed. We'll remember Nick the adolescent who made us envious with his swimming and guitar skills. We'll remember Nick the young man who served our country in the military. But perhaps what we'll remember most is Nick's joy of life and his smile that lit up his face and warmed our hearts. Time and memory can neither dim nor fade these loving memories. Nick, we will remember.

The funeral will be on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 11:00AM at River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home in Rochester.  Burial with military honors will be at a later date.  A visitation will be held from 4:00pm – 8:00pm on Wednesday evening and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home.

Memorials are preferred to The American Red Cross and The Wounded Warrior Project.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.  Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com