Shirley Elizabeth (Nichols) Brueggeman

Shirley Elizabeth Brueggeman, 83, Passed away unexpectedly on May 10, 2018 at St. Mary's  Hospital in Grand Junction, CO.  She was the third child born to Bryan Arasho Nichols and Mildred Lillus Parker Nichols at Divide Creek near Rifle, Colorado.  Shirley Attended schools in Red Dirt, Rifle, and Fruita, Colorado.  She graduated from Fruita Union High School In 1954.  She had many hair-raising adventures with her older brother and sister including much mischief while living at the coal mine up Rifle Creek.  She was an accomplished cook, seamstress, and quilter and artist. Later she put her artistic passions into gardening and cake decorating.  Many brides in the Grand Valley celebrated their nuptials with a wedding cake designed by Shirley.  She loved her yard with many trees and flowers where she would sit in the mornings drinking her coffee and watch all the birds.  Shirley enjoyed her family.  She became a genealogist early in life.  She dedicated much time to family history research and the holding of extended family reunions.  She married Wilbert Brueggeman on January 9, 1960. They made their home in Loma, Colorado.  Their lives were enriched with two children, Bill Brueggeman and Beki Hovet. She is survived by her children, Bill Brueggeman of Loma and Beki (Wes) Hovet of Loma, grandchildren Bo (Kate) Cox of Fruita, Jerry (Michelle) Cox of Meeker, Hollie Brueggeman  of Olathe, Kyle Brueggeman of Loma, Michael Parker of Olathe, Brittany (Dakota) Jenkins of Fruita, Joseph (Cayla) Cheskaty of Fruita, and ten great-grandchildren plus one due next month.  In addition, two sisters, Mildred Wilkinson of Grand Junction, and Hattie (Don) Bishop of Sonora, CA She is blessed with a large surviving extended family including many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert Brueggeman, Her parents, Bryan and Mildred Nichols, Her three brothers, Baby  Roy Nichols, Dannie Nichols and Walter Nichols and A grandson Derek Brueggeman. We all will miss her and her many talents including her homemade frozen ice cream at family gatherings.

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