Hazel Ruth Nidey

Hazel Ruth Wallace Nidey was born April 8, 1927, at home, to Rolin and Lillian Wallace 13 miles south of Springfield, CO. She attended 8 years of grade school at Crescent, a one room country school and 2 years High School in Springfield. Hazel was baptized into the Church of Christ at the young age of 11 and was a faithful believer until her death. On November 19, 1943, Hazel Ruth and Kenneth Nidey were married at the home of her parents. They were blessed to have 3 sons, Paul, David, and Larry. Kenneth served in the Marine Corps from 1944 until 1946. When he came home, they farmed for Delos Wallace for many years.  Because of crop failure, caused by drought and dust storms, they made the decision to leave Baca County. The family moved to Hotchkiss, CO in 1955 where Kenneth learned to farm with irrigation and Hazel loved having all the fresh peaches, cherries and apricots for eating and canning. After their 3 sons were out of school and gone from home, Hazel studied and passed the test to get her GED, then attended college at Adams State in Alamosa, CO and got her BA degree in Elementary Education and a Minor in Library. Kenneth and Hazel moved back to Springfield in 1973, and she taught Elementary School in Campo and Vilas and then worked in Elementary Libraries in Colorado and Kansas for several more years. Then for 10 years, she had a booth at the Treasure Chest Mall in Springfield selling vitamins, supplements and other items. Kenneth and Hazel Ruth celebrated their 50th anniversary by taking a cruise up the Mississippi on a paddle wheel steamboat, the “Mississippi Queen” in November 1993 and enjoyed other travels over the years. Another highlight of their lives was moving into their lovely home on Kansas St. in 1997 where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Kenneth preceded Hazel in death May 2013, and she was blessed to be able to remain in her home with the loving care from her sons, until her passing, Sunday morning July 9, 2017, at the age of 90. She leaves to mourn her passing, 3 sons; Paul of Springfield, David of Middleburgh, NY, and Larry (Wanda) of Amarillo, Texas and many other relatives and friends. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be given to Springfield Child Care Center. Contributions may be given directly, 489 Tipton St, Springfield, CO 81073, or by way of the funeral home.