Dale Nelson, 89, passed away on December 26, 2023.  He was born in Emerald City, Nebraska and moved to Colorado during his high school years and graduated from Berthoud High School.   He entered into the Marine Corps in 1954 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California where he met his wife, Patricia Brubaker, at a USO dance.   Patricia and Dale were married in 1956 and moved to Colorado after his discharge from the service.   In 1959 he started work as a Police Officer and later Dispatcher at Denver Police Department until his retirement in 1987.   Dale and Patricia moved to Brush in 1990 where he farmed, raised and showed champion Paint Horses until 2007.   Dale also enjoyed attending local farm sales and auctions looking for his next great find and socializing over coffee at the Drover's every morning.

Dale is survived, and will be missed, by his wife, Patricia, his sons Dennis (Susan) and Mike, daughter Kelly (Michael Salisbury), granddaughters Kaycee Gilman (Charlie) and Brynn Nelson (Josh Illig) and great grandchildren Molly, Max and Quinn Gilman, Maddy and Leddy Illig, and brother Melvin Jr.(Jean).

Dale is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Opal Nelson, siblings Marjorie, Roberta, Darlene and Archie and great grandsons Paden and Coleman Gilma

A visitation will be held Wednesday, January 10, at 1pm at Heer Mortuary in Brush, followed by a graveside service at 2pm at Brush Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center at 163 N County Rd 29, Loveland, CO 80537 (heartsandhorses.org)