Nathen William 'Nate" Boyce, age 44, died September 23, 2025, at Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, Kansas, after lifelong health and medical struggles.
He was a member of Cross Point Church in Wamego and had a sincere faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. At 4 months of age, Nathen started showing symptoms of what was later called "auto-immune bowel disease" with his own immune system attacking his body. Nathen was the first baby to leave KU Medical Center on home TPN care in March of 1982, where mom and dad dedicated their lives to providing the best home IV care they could. Through years of experimental drug programs and the dedication of Dr. Jon Vanderhoof in Omaha, Nebraska, Nathen's disease was held in a level of control that gave him a functional life. He was finally able to have the permanent IV catheter removed in October of 2006
Nathen is the son of Bill and Christy Hall Boyce of Wamego. Growing up on the family farm with his older sister Bethany Garren (Jarad) and his younger sister Rachele Thompson (Michael), he developed a love of farming with dad and grandpa and helped as much as his medical condition allowed. He could operate anything on the farm from planting, spraying, to combining. Nate was a natural helper.
Nathen attended Wamego schools from kindergarten through 8th grade and then was home-schooled with his younger sister Rachele through high school and graduated in 2000. In 1997, Nathen joined his dad in the hobby of long track kart racing, and he was instantly successful with his short stature and aggressive driving skills. He raced at Daytona Speedway, Road Atlanta, Heartland Park Topeka, Hallett Raceway, Oklahoma, Gateway in St. Louis, Motorsports Park near Ft Worth, TX, Lake Afton near Wichita, KS, and several more, winning several national titles and many local series races. He was known by racers all through the Midwest as a threat to win whenever he could race.
In 2006, after he was able to survive without the IV, his world got bigger, and he met and married Angela Christian of Mountain Home, AR, in April 2008. Angie survives at their home. After all the years of being on strong medicines and being told that children were probably not going to happen, they were blessed with their first child, Natasha, in June of 2009, then again blessed with a son, Memphis, in August 2010, and one more time, Serenitie, in March of 2015. Angie started developing signs of Multiple Sclerosis during her pregnancy with Serentie. Nathen went from being cared for to being the caregiver for Angie until his death.
Nathen is survived by his parents, Bill and Christy, wife Angie, children Natasha, Memphis, and Serenitie; sisters Bethany (Jarad) and Rachele (Michael), nieces and nephews Mason, Ethan, Marshall, and Turner Garren; Evelynn, William, Henry, and Ayla Thompson; and several extended family members.
Nathen was preceded in death by his grandparents, Everett and Viola Boyce, John and Illa Hall. Nathen never had an enemy and was liked by all who had time to converse or joke around with him. He made friends quickly and had quite a sense of humor. His non-threatening stature and outgoing personality drew people to him, and they left feeling better for knowing him.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Nate will lie in state starting at 4:00 p.m. at Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego.