Nita Kay Bruce

Anita (Nita) K. Bruce passed away July 16, 2007 at her home in Longmont after being diagnosed with cancer on June 14, 2007. She was 61 years old. Nita was born in Akron, CO to Harold K. and Ruth (Coleman) Niebur. Nita attended school in Johnstown until 1961 and graduated from Estes Park High School in 1964.Nita lived in Estes Park. CO and worked at the Estes Park Chamber of Commerce, Police Dispatch, and Larimer County Sheriff?s Department. Nita married John V. Bruce on Nov. 12, 1970 in Boulder. Nita and her family moved to Longmont in 1976. She began working as Bookeeper and Assistant Manager of The Armadillo Restaurant in 1983. After 17 years, she was forced to retire due to rheumatory arthritis. Prior to her arthritis, Nita enjoyed crafts, sewing, and painting. In her retirement, she continued to enjoy her family gatherings and watching her grandchildren grow. She loved animals, giving to friends, weekly visits to the beauty shop, eating out, soap operas on Channel 4, decorating, and giving her husband a hard time.?She was a sparrow with the heart of an eagle.?Nita was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 36 years John V. Bruce; her sons Jeff (Amy) Bruce of Ft. Collins, CO and Rodger (Tracy) Bruce of Johnstown, CO; a daughter Saundra (Shannon) Shaeffer of Longmont, CO; and 8 grandchildren, Benjamin, Abby, Jason, Spencer, Miranda, Stephen, Natalie, and Cheyenne.Nita is also survived by a brother, Ron (Peggy) Niebur of McCook, NE; and a sister, Linda (Ken) Cool of Denver, CO; three nieces, Jean Niebur and Beth (Clint) Bethell of McCook, NE and Alicia (Matt Knatz) Cool of Tucson, AZ; a nephew, Russ (Mandy) Niebur of Morrison, CO; three aunts, Sister Marie Coleman of Concordia, KS, Jen Wolf of Otis, CO, and Lois Niebur of Akron, CO; her best friends, Anna Anderson and Gretchen Olson, as well as many cousins and dear friends.Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Howe Mortuary in Longmont, CO. Interment of ashes will take place at Longmont?s Mountain View Cemetery Columbarium at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2007. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at New Creation Church.Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of Boulder and Broomfield Counties 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Suite A, Lafayette, CO 80026 or The Colorado Rheumatory Arthritis Foundation c/o Howe Mortuary, 439 Coffman St., Longmont, CO 80501.