Nadine Kohler

Nadine Kohler was born Mildred Nadine Lockett on July 29, 1934 to Hershel "Spot" Lockett and Jewell Lockett. She was raised in the San Luis Valley in Center, Colorado, where she was a cheerleader and worked on the high school yearbook. She was worthy advisor of The Rainbow Girls, head girl and homecoming queen.

Following high school, Nadine went to work for Mountain Bell, where she worked as a telephone operator. This is where she met her husband of 55 years, Roger Kohler. Roger was sent to Center, Colorado while working for Western Electric to install telephone central office equipment. After 2 1/2 months of dating Nadine, he was finally able to talk her into marrying him.

On November 21, 1960, Nadine gave birth to their first child Keith. On July 8, 1962 they gave birth to their second child Kathy, and their third child Karen was born on August 9, 1968.

Nadine left her job with Mountain Bell once Keith was born and remained a fulltime mom from that day forward. Nadine was room mother, Girl Scout leader, field trip chaperone, as well as many other mom duties. In 1974, Roger and Nadine faced a big challenge in their lives when Leukemia took the life of their youngest daughter Karen. We now believe that both Karen and Nadine are happy to be back in each other's arms in heaven.

Once her kids were raised, Nadine went from mom to grandma, when Kari was born to Keith in 1983 and Kris shortly after in 1985. "Millie" as she was called by the grandkids was a very hands on grandma with Kari and Kris, she made sure that they had everything they needed, and made sure they shined the brightest for picture day at school, and she was the loudest cheerleader at field day. A few years later, Kathy gave birth to Josh in 1992 and Ryan in 1994. Nadine certainly was active in their lives, and never missed a single Christmas play or any school function they performed in.

Nadine worked with Interfaith Task Force as a volunteer, arranging rides for seniors. The work she did for them was with love and passion. The folks she helped certainly loved and appreciated all she did for them.

One of Nadine's passions were her pets and her gardens. Among her favorite pets were her turtles she kept running loose in her backyard. She was often known as the Englewood "turtle lady". She had plants all over in and outside of her house, and also a beautiful vegetable garden, which included 25-30 tomato plants. They produced many, many tomatoes, which she grew from seedlings. It gave her so much delight to can and give them away to her family and many friends.

Something that Nadine looked forward to was her monthly luncheon dates with her schoolmates and best friends Margaret and Carolyn Jean. They always had a great time.

Another passion Nadine had was bowling. She bowled on many leagues throughout the years, including ladies, family and senior leagues. She got the most satisfaction when she was with the family, but the most memorable was the summer Kari put together a summer league where she had all her family together, she never stopped smiling. She was proud of her family. She also cherished all of the friendships she made at Belleview bowling alley. As Kathy would put it, they were her "peeps".

Nadine was called home on January 15, 2010. Although unexpected, and has been difficult for our family, it is comforting to know that we have an angel looking over us forever.


Nadine is survived by her husband Roger, son Keith, daughter Kathy and grandchildren, Kari, Kris, Joshua, Ryan and Kelsea. She is also survived by a host of family members and friends who meant so much to her. Nadine is preceded in death by her daughter Karen, and her father and mother "Spot" and Jewell" and brother Kenneth.

Services Englewood Bible Church (3190 South Grant Street) Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with interment following at Crown Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to The Childrens Hospital Oncology Department.