Nellie Bea Fletcher (Burkhard) has passed away at the age of 86. She will be sorely missed and remembered forever by her husband of 66 years, Lou, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and countless loved ones whose lives she has touched.  On December 8, 2019, Nell began her final journey home, so that she may once again feel the embrace of those already gone and to watch over those who remain.

Nell was a woman of many qualities; from her kind and loving heart to her truly amazing intellect, she used these qualities to enrich the lives of everyone around her. She ensured these same strengths were passed down to her children so that they could in turn raise wonderful families of their own. She carried many passions with her through life which ensured that her hands and mind were never idle. A lifelong love for animals was certainly a big part of who she was as well, even awarded an “Honorary Chapter Farmer” by the Future Farmers of America. She raised horses, cows, sheep, and pigs to name a few, but saved a special place in her heart for her chickens.  This may or may not have earned the nickname “crazy chicken lady” to some.  Alongside being an immensely talented artist and painter, Nell was also an accomplished and published writer and editor. A fascination with history and a love for the written word guaranteed that a good book was never far from her hands, as anyone who has ever seen her collection of literature would surely attest too. She also made certain to always remain active in her community; whether it was 4H, the American Field Services, and a stage hand for the opera guild or even washing crude oil off the back of a slippery little sea otter that suffered during the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. In other words she was no stranger to rolling up her sleeves and getting her hands dirty.

Being an adept seamstress she handcrafted many things for her children and grandchildren through the years; clothing, ornaments, blankets, sweaters, hats, and mittens only to name a few. Her loved ones need only look around them to find one of her beautiful handmade creations to remind them of her.

Professionally, Nell was a high school teacher for many years and as such, nurtured the lives of countless people during that time. When she wasn’t nurturing the minds of future generations, you’d be sure to find her camping, fishing, traveling, or just simply toiling the soil in one of her beautiful gardens for hours on end. Gardening was a true passion that saw the creation of amazing and fruitful works for all to enjoy.

Though the world has indeed lost a truly amazing light, her legacy is sure to live on in those whose lives have been made better by sharing even a moment with Nell. Her family and loved ones will forever carry that innate sense of goodness that she saw fit to plant and nurture in each of us. She is survived by her husband Louis, her son Steve, her daughters Sher Canady and Kami Lindberg, her 14 grandchildren and countless great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter Kathy (9), her son Will (46), his son, her grandson William (22), her brother Walt and her parents William and Nellie.

Services for Nell Fletcher will be held on January 18, 2020, 2pm at Deckers Hall, 8570 S State Highway 67, Deckers, CO  80135.