Nancy Beth Colón

Nancy Beth Kamerman Colón went to be with the Lord on Aug. 10, 2015. Nancy was born Jan. 6, 1982, in Manhattan, Montana. She was the eighth child and youngest daughter of Delbert and Nellie Kamerman. As a child, she was quiet and happy growing up on the family dairy farm, and learned everything a farmer's daughter learns. She had the ability to make everyone laugh and turn the most mundane moments into joyful memories.

Nancy attended Manhattan Christian School. She received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While in school, she spent time studying in Honduras and became fluent in Spanish. After her graduation in 2004, she received an offer to teach second grade from Shoreline Christian School in Shoreline, Washington, two weeks before classes started. She packed up everything and moved to Seattle, where she taught for 11 years. This past spring she watched her first class graduate high school.

In March of 2013, Nancy met her husband, Emmanuel Alejandro Colón Gorbea, at a murder mystery party. She was the funniest person in the room. A week later Nancy and Manny went on their first date. Manny asked Nancy to be his wife on June 1, 2014, at the top of Mt. Pilchuck. They were married on the Tampa Bay in Florida, Dec. 23, 2014.

Nancy was a teacher and educator before she ever received the title and was the perfect example of a second grade teacher. She found a way to reach every child in her class. Whatever the subject, whoever the child, Nancy found ways to make class exciting – she dressed up, wore ridiculous hats, sang obnoxiously. Her kids loved her. She didn't just teach her students, but prayed with them and did devotions with them; she loved that she had the freedom to do this. To her, it was the most important facet of her job.

Nancy was a master with children and a caretaker. Kids flocked to her; they always wanted to be around her. Whether they were her students or her many nieces, nephews, and cousins, she made them feel safe, valued, and loved. She always found ways to have fun with them and was never too old for games. Nancy was also an artist. She loved to doodle, took incredible pictures, and sang beautifully. She was an outdoor enthusiast; she loved to be in the mountains and was always up for a hike.

Jesus said, "No one lights a lamp and hides it under a basket." God brought Nancy to this world and did not keep her under a basket. Her light shone for all to see. Her faith was the core of who she was. Her desires were to be married, to love and know God, to enjoy God, to enjoy His creation, to acknowledge Him for everything, and for other people to experience Who she knew. She lived simply, didn't ask for much, was content with the life she had, and genuinely delighted in the small things in life – a sweet balance of humor and wisdom.

Nancy is survived by her husband, her parents, and her four brothers and four sisters (Karen, Doug, Carol, Duane, Nelson, Julie, Janelle, and Nathan).

Visitation hours will be from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 at Bethel Christian Reformed Church. Graveside service at 10 a.m. in Churchill Cemetery with Memorial Service to follow at 11 a.m. at Bethel CRC. A live feed of the memorial service will be available at 11 a.m. at www.bethelcrcmt.org. It will be under the Media tab, "Live Sermon."

Donations in Nancy's name may be made to Shoreline Christian School at shorelinechristian.org/support-us/donate-scs and Mission Aviation Fellowship maf.org/donate.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com