Wilma Irwin Nau

Wilma Irwin Nau shed her earthly bonds and slipped into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 21, 2018 with her sons by her side. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life." John 5:24.

Wilma was born in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, near the town of Rudyard, on January 11, 1918 to William Simmons Irwin and Bessie Bigelow Irwin. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Omer Knut Nau, her brothers William, Eugene and Arthur and her sister-in-law, Darlene Davidson Irwin.

Wilma's entire life was centered around her strong Christian beliefs. Wilma and Omer were members of the Black Forest Community Church from 1955 until 1966 when they moved into town and became members of the First Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs. Wilma sang in the choir and became involved in the Stephen Ministry, the Lois Circle and many other church activities.

Growing up during the depression, Wilma's family managed the best they could and moved to northwestern Iowa pursuing farming opportunities near the town of Estherville. During high school, she met, and was smitten by her dashing future husband, Omer. During WWII, Wilma followed Omer to Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania where his army unit was training. They were married there by an army chaplain and Wilma took an office job at a steel mill in Harrisburg. She remained there while Omer's unit fought in Europe. After the war, Wilma and Omer moved to the Minneapolis area and bought and winterized a cabin located on the south shore of Lake Minnetonka. Shortly thereafter, Jon and Jim came along, both born at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis. In 1955, Wilma and Omer moved to Colorado Springs, where they established roots in Black Forest. Wilma worked for several years at the La Foret Conference Center and later at the new Air Academy High School where she became secretary to John Asbury, the high school principal. During that time, Wilma wrote a column that appeared in the Free Press (now The Gazette) and the Black Forest News reporting on community activities and keeping everyone up on local events. In 1966, Wilma and Omer purchased and operated the Colonial Motel located on North Nevada Avenue. Wilma and Omer were part-time ambassadors for the local Chamber of Commerce and motel industry attending travel shows in major cities promoting the Colorado Springs tourist industry. They are charter members of the local chapter of the Sons of Norway.

Wilma is survived by her brother, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert B. Irwin, her sons, Jonathan (Debra), and James (Phyllis), her granddaughters, Trisha Poole (Kevin), Stephanie Ronalds and Jennifer Childs (Jai), her grandsons, Evan Nau (Selina), Erik Nau and 1st Lt. Trevor Nau, USMC, and six great grandchildren, PJ, Leif, Logan, Ciera, Mirabel and Weston.

Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. March 2nd at Swan Law Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m., on March 3rd at First Lutheran Church, 1515 North Cascade Avenue with a reception to follow. The family would like to express its heartfelt thanks to the staff at Pikes Peak Hospice at Penrose Hospital for their loving care and kindness.