Michael Vincent Nestico-Brown

Michael Vincent Nestico-Brown, 64 of Des Moines, Iowa passed away on March 05, 2026.   Michael was born on Mother’s Day, May 14, 1961, in Detroit, Michigan, but home was California where he grew up and spent his early adult years.  Iowa became his new home where he loved the four seasons, and he remained here until he passed away at home from Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  Michael was an amazing man with a loving, kind heart and a beautiful spirit.  He touched the hearts of many people throughout his life and was truly loved by everyone that had the opportunity to know him.  He loved to watch movies, any Christmas, Hallmark or Feel Good movie was on his list.  Mike loved putting on his Santa Suit and making visits to the Windsor Heights Walmart where he worked part time at his second job.  The store provided endless amounts of Candy Canes for Santa to pass out to everyone as he spent hours at a time meandering through the store spreading Christmas Cheer as he visited and took pictures with all the families and children.  Mike loved camping and exploring new places.  He had plans to winter in warmer climates and return to Iowa every summer to spend time with children and grandchildren. 

Michael is survived by his husband: Kevin Nestico-Brown  -  Children: Jason Nestico, Sean Nestico, Angela Nestico, Ashley (Cody) Brewer, Alexander Brown, Taylor (Nathan) Brown  –  Grandchildren: Aaliyah, Jack, Bryson, Breaya, Wyatt, Blakley, Elliott, Laklei, Kaiden  –  Mother: Monique E Nestico  –  Siblings: Dan (Julie) Nestico; David (Nancy) Nestico; Annette (Bill) Jasper; Diana (Bruce) Arnold; Sherry (Mark) White  -  Fur Baby: Bella

Michael is preceded in death by: His father, Vincent Dominic Nestico.

Please join our family for a casual Celebration of Michael’s Life.  Join us in Iowa or California on Saturday, May 16^th, 2026, as we concurrently celebrate Michael in both states; Iowa - 2:00 PM-4:00 PM Central; California - Noon-2 PM Pacific.  Locations and confirmation of times will be added at a later date.

Special Thanks

To our work family.  The leadership and our team members at UnityPoint at Home and Nationwide.  I can’t imagine going through this without your flexibility, compassion, help, and love.  You not only made us feel safe and secure, you made sure that we knew our jobs were safe and secure so that we could focus on what was most important at the time, Michael.

Our “Fence Family” (Neighbors).  Shelly, Lisa, Brian, Igor & Sonja, Ellie & Jay, Sharon, Mitch, Sal & Gary.  Thank you for being part of our family!  Our relationship is rare, it’s just not this way very often anymore.  Mike and I are so thankful for you.  Thank you so very much for all of your help with whatever we ever needed.  From taking care of our Chickens, to taking care of a horribly overgrown backyard, bringing us food, sharing laughter and sharing tears.  You are amazing.

Our friends at UnityPoint Clinic, UnityPoint Oncology Hematology, UnityPoint Outpatient Infusion Center, Nebraska Medicine Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.  For the past seven months Michael and I have seen you for the most part 6 out of 7 days a week.  You have become part of our family, you have shared, guided and fought on our behalf to do everything possible for Mike during this journey.  You held our hands, laughed with us and cried with us.  You were never Mike’s doctors, nurses and medical staff.  You were always Mike’s partners working as an amazing team through every phase and change in his illness.  Every question was answered, every thought was considered, every hard conversation was had.  Through it all, every interaction was with love and compassion.