Nedra E. Dils

NEDRA E. "KELLY" DILS Friends are invited to a brief celebration of life for Nedra E. "Kelly" Dils at the family home, 27515 Road U.6, Dolores, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 25th. Nedra E. "Kelly" Dils passed away January 21, 2009 at her home outside of Dolores, Colorado. She was born April 30, 1921 in Ohio growing up in Toledo. She attended Wittenberg College where she met her future husband Bob Dils. The two were married on Christmas Eve in 1942. During World War II she taught first grade for several years. Their path led them to Michigan where their three children were born. She was always instrumental in being a part of Bob's career and was proud of her special "PHT" (putting hubby through) credentials. In 1958 the family moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado where "Team Dils" started the nation's first Watershed Science Department at Colorado State University. Kelly fed many a hungry graduate student, edited numerous theses and was host and surrogate mother to many throughout their years at the university. Kelly enjoyed being a non-traditional student at CSU and especially enjoyed and put to use her skills in teaching English with many mostly Spanish speaking students. In 1964 the family traveled to and lived in New Zealand for a year, developing a lasting love of that country and all things "kiwi". After Bob retired from CSU they spent two years in Washington D.C. where he worked for the Forest Service, and she thoroughly enjoyed exploring the city and surrounding historic and cultural sites. Kelly's rich and full life included trips to South America, Scandinavia and Europe. The Dils retired to their home outside of Dolores known as Wingspread in 1979. Since then many friends and colleagues from around the world have enjoyed their hospitality. Kelly loved and excelled at writing stories, quilting, gardening (still moving rocks around in her 80's) and watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow. She is survived by three daughters and their husbands, Lynn and James Buchanan of McElmo Canyon, Jan and Larry Shepard of Dolores and Kris and John Holstrom of Placerville as well as five grandchildren, Kiri, Jamie, Lindsay, Kirk and Kelsey and many great grandchildren. Her extended family stretched to include "adopted" members, Carol Hayes, Ann Sanford and Alyra Conley and many more. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Dils. Her kind, creative and generous spirit will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to The Bob & Nedra Dils Scholarship Fund at CSU, Hospice of Montezuma or the Dolores Public Library.