V. Nadine (Klassen) Collette

Loving Mother and Wife, fun Gran & G.G.

Vera Nadine Klassen Collette was born August 2, 1931. Her parents, Jake and Veda Klassen ran cattle on the Gatton Ranch near Abarr, Colorado and she was born on the Dunlap Place. She was the youngest of six children ranging in age from 18 to two years old. When they lost the ranch during the depression, they moved to Loveland, CO. Those early childhood years held many happy memories for Nadine but life was not easy for her parents and older siblings. They had to move many times looking for work. After leaving Loveland they found work near Brush for Rediess feedlot and farm, then lived and worked in several apartments in Denver with street names like Downing, Humboldt and Muddy Lane. They also lived in a trailer on Lowell Blvd. while her father built a small home in Golden during his spare time.

Her Father worked long hours over the years as a feedlot manager and building custodian. Her mother worked full time as a housekeeper and ladies maid during Nadine’s school years. Nadine and her sister, Marie, were often alone and school at Garden Home, Wyman, Dora Moore, Morey Junior High and Golden High School were not a high priority.

She was not afraid to apply for any job in Denver even if she had to tell them she was older than she was. She worked at a Delicatessen, Violet Myers Drug Store as a soda jerk, a Popcorn Snack Shack, Supreme Bakers as a cracker girl, Dairy Bar, Golden Lantern as a salad girl, and the Pig Parlor on California St.   It was no wonder after visiting her cousins Dick and Kathy Heinrichs in Joes, Colorado the summer of 1946 she was ready for the slower country life. That fall she moved in with her Aunt Katherine Nickel and went to Joes High School for her Junior and Senior years. School suddenly seemed important, she did well and graduated in 1949. It was also during this time she met a Kirk boy, James Collette, and knew she found the guy she wanted to spend her life with.

For the first few years of married life they lived in several houses in Kirk and James worked as a mechanic. In 1951 they had their first child, James Collette III (Jimmy), and wanted a better life for their family. They moved to a farm northeast of Kirk that had belonged to his Dad, Ralph, and started farming with his brothers Ed and Bud.   It was quite a shock to a city girl; raising chickens, butchering them for dinner, milking cows, and cooking huge meals for hungry men. Their daughters Cindy Marie and Julie Anne soon joined the family and it was complete.

Nadine, always ready to improve herself soon was involved in the community. Early years found her involved in Extension Club, and in 4-H as a Leader and starting, with others, the Country Challengers 4-H Club. She learned along with her children the insects for Entomology, crafting Leathercraft, and Knitting. She taught Sunday School, Bible School and led the children’s music at the Kirk Methodist Church for many years. At home she gardened, raised flowers, canned food, painted pictures and constantly improved her home. With her kids in school, she trained to take the Census reports in 1960 and 1970, traveling all over three counties. Grandchildren and then Great Grandchildren were always at the center of her life and she loved spending time with them.

When James and Nadine were ready to retire from farming they took to travel in their 5 ^th Wheel Camper. They spent winters in Fun N Sun near San Benito, TX learning new crafts and gaining many friends. In summer they attended Klassen Family Reunions in California, Oregon, and parked at numerous lakes for family fun. The camping expeditions with the Grandkids created special memories they will always remember. For several years they also were Park Service Hosts in Oregon, Minnesota and Bonny Dam for three months out of the year.

James passed away in 1998 and the next four years alone on the farm were hard. She met great friends in Joes at the Grassroots, but with Julie and Vince living in Wray decided to buy a home there in 2003. It was a wonderful new life. She made many new friends by joining the Library Book Club, volunteering for Hospice, working in the Wray Community Garden, exercising at the WRAC and enjoying the activities of Encore Life. Her life felt full and purposeful until Alzheimer’s started to take it away from her. Still, she never knew a stranger and loved being around others. Maintaining her love of family and friends, sense of fun, and love of music and song she parted this life at the Hillcrest Timeless Meadows, February 16, 2018, at age 86. Her family was with her.

Passing before her were her husband James, parents Jacob and Veda [Beery] Klassen, brother Carl and sister-in-law Lennie Klassen, sisters Lorraine Laity, Jean and brother-in-law Bill Ashworth, Elaine Klassen, Marie Yount, father and mother-in-law Ralph and Alva Collette, brother and sister-in-law Ed and Leona Collette, and brother-in-law Jack Wise.

Left to always remember her are children Jim and Judy Collette, Cindy and Ron Richards, and Julie and Vince Scruby. The grandchildren that loved her are Caleb Richards, Libby and Michael Wiseman, Wade and Danille Scruby, Jason Collette and friend Mary, Jake and Sarah Scruby. The great grandchildren who lit up her life are Tate, Olivia, Vinny, and Samuel. Also left are the friends and family she loved and had impacted her life in so many wonderful ways.

A Memorial service will be held on Friday, February 23, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at the Wray United Methodist Church in Wray, Colorado with Pastor Ben Wentworth officiating. A Private Family Inurnment will be held in the Olivet Cemetery in Kirk, Colorado at a later date. Cremation was requested. Memorials may be made to Hillcrest Care Center (Timeless Meadows), 360 Canyon Ridge Drive, Wray, Colorado 80758. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.