Nell Lureen Dike

Nell Lureen Dike passed away on December 3, 2011 in the presence of her loving family. Born on November 26, 1917 in Giltner, Nebraska, Nell lived 94 full years. She grew up and attended schools in Giltner. As a young woman Nell traveled to Idaho to work as a farm laborer where she met her husband, Leo Dike. They married on September 25, 1937 and were together for 52 years before Leo's death in 1989. Nell and Leo first resided in Idaho where they gave birth to their two sons, Larry and Gary. In the early 1940s, they moved to Council Grove, Kansas where their daughter Judy was born. Leo and Nell farmed in Kansas until 1960 when they moved to Longmont, Colorado. After moving to Longmont, Nell worked as an assembler at Red Dale and in retail at Deans. Nell Dike was an active member of her community, always volunteering her time to help others. Over many years she was an active member of the Rebekkah Lodge, Longmont United Methodist Church, and a volunteer at the Longmont Hospital where she made use of her extensive sewing and crafting skills by sewing hundreds of walker bags and other items. In addition to her community activities Nell enjoyed adventure, nature and travel. Prior to Leo's death, they enjoyed traveling around the U.S. in their Red Dale camper, climbing Longs Peak and visiting family. After Leo's death, Nell became a world traveler, traveling from South America to the far reaches of Scandinavia with her favorite trip being one to Israel with her grandson, Jeff. Nell's love of nature extended to her home where she had an extensive flower and vegetable garden that flourished with her magic green thumb. She built houses for the birds and spent hours enjoying their playful antics. Nell touched every person that she met. She had many friends in the community, including the Girls Lunch Bunch, which met at McDonalds every Wednesday for over twenty years. Nell lived through many changes in the world and technology. From gaslights to electricity, from letters to email, radio to television, buckets to indoor plumbing and outhouses to hot showers, Nell saw it all. She was also witness to the great depression and dust bowl. Through it all, Nell maintained her positive attitude and determination to make a good life for herself and more importantly, her family.Most important to Nell was her family. Nell and Leo had three children, eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was the heart and soul of her family, always there for everyone. She made certain that every birthday and special occasion was celebrated with a homemade cake and every family member felt her special love and care. We will all treasure the special quilts she made for each one of us, and the lessons she taught us through her actions, kindness and generosity to all. She taught us the importance of family and how to love unconditionally. She was one-of-kind and will be dearly missed every day but her spirit and love remain in the hearts of her family and all of those she touched the past 94 years. Nell was predeceased in death by her husband Leo, her son Gary Dike, her daughter Judy Dike White, her daughter in law Polly Dike and her grandson Randy Dike.Nell is survived by her son Larry and his wife, Delores and seven grandchildren, Jeff White and wife, Patti, Jennifer Motycka and husband, Lyle, Daniel Dike, Bradley Dike and wife, Anne Marie, Derron Dike, Betsy Dike and Lanell Dike. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren Emil Motycka, Caleb Gruen-White, Hailee Gruen-White, Adric Motycka, Z White, Jackson and Natalie Dike, as well as many nieces and nephews. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at First United Methodist Church. Private interment at Foothills Gardens of Memory. Donations in Nell's memory can be made in care of Ahlberg Funeral Chapel to Hospice of Boulder and Broomfield County, First United Methodist or any charity of your choice.