Omer Knut Nau, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, slipped the bonds of earth and was gathered into the loving arms of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, early in the morning of November 16, 2012 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 30, 1917 the son of the late Knut and Evaline Lein Nau. Omer graduated from Estherville High School, Estherville, Iowa in 1937. In October, 1938, through a Lone Scout Program, Omer achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the first such award to have been achieved in Emmet County, Iowa. After working in his father's haberdashery, he moved to Spencer, Iowa to begin a career with F.W. Woolworth Company. Omer was inducted into the army in 1942 and received his basic training with the 3rd Armored Division in Ft. Polk, Louisiana. The unit was moved to Indiantown Gap Pennsylvania where, on January 8, 1943 Omer married the love of his life, Wilma Irwin, also from Estherville. In addition to his other military duties, Omer, an accomplished trumpet player was the bugler for Battery B, 54th Field Artillery where he "woke them up and put them to bed". During WWII, the 3rd Armored Division (Spearhead) was involved in many battles in the European theater including the Battle of the Bulge. As a result of his involvement during these campaigns, he was awarded five Bronze Stars. In the late 1950's Omer was the scout master of Troop 70 in Black Forest. For many years Omer and Wilma were the owners and operators of the Colonial Motel on North Nevada Avenue. During that time Omer was twice the president of the Pikes Peak Motel Association. He and Wilma are charter members of the Sons of Norway Lodge. Omer leaves behind his loving wife, Wilma, two sons, Jonathan (Debra) and James (Phyllis), six grandchildren, Trisha (Poole), Stephanie (Ronalds), Evan, Jennifer (Childs), Erik and Trevor, and six great grandchildren, P.J., Cierra, Leif, Logan, Mirabel and Weston Knut. The family would like to express its gratitude to the staff of Parkmoor Village and Pikes Peak Hospice for their loving care over the past six months. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 between 10:00 and 12:00 a.m., at Swan Funeral Directors, 501 N. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs followed by a graveside service with military honors at Evergreen Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. Family and friends will then gather for a Memorial Service at First Lutheran Church, 1515 N. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO at 2:30. A reception will follow the Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in Omer Nau's name to First Lutheran Church or Pikes Peak Hospice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
We remember Omer as such a kind and friendly man, a stranger to none, even in his later years. It's a great loss. Our prayers and love are with you all.
Vic and Sandy Ramsey
November 24, 2012
Sorry to hear of his passing. He was a great and nurturing person.
Ronald Stewart
November 19, 2012
Jim, Phyllis and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of Omer's passing. May God comfort you as only He can.
Cindy Forbeck
November 19, 2012
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more