Avis E. Colgrove, 82, of Fort Lupton, died March 19, 2014, at Atria Senior Living Facility in Longmont.
Avis was born April 21, 1931, in Hankinson, N.D., to Herbert E. Hoeft and Edna Louise (Stoltenow) Hoeft. She grew up on the family farm outside Great Bend, N.D., until graduating from high school in Wahpeton, N.D. Upon graduation, she attended North Dakota Science School and then graduated from North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., with a degree in Home Economics and a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Her first teaching assignment was in New England, N.D., where she met her husband of 55 years, LW “Corky” Colgrove. The couple was married Aug. 18, 1955, in Great Bend, N.D., and moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. Due to health reasons in 1957, the couple moved to Fort Lupton, where they made their home for the remainder of their lives.
Avis taught Home Economics and Science in the Fort Lupton Schools from 1957 until her retirement in 1983. She had a deep love for the multiple generations of students she taught in her classes or was involved with as a class or club sponsor. In 1973, Avis was selected as a National Outstanding Secondary Educator for her advancement of secondary education and service to the community. She devoted her life as a servant to the community in the development of its youth.
Upon her retirement she managed her and her husband’s business, Cork and Cap Liquors. She especially enjoyed the holidays, which allowed her to reunite with many of her former students who were home for the holidays. When they decided to retire from the business, the couple traveled and spent winters in southern Texas with relatives.
Along with her involvement in the Fort Lupton Schools, Avis was an active member of the Republican Party, Delta Kappa Gamma, and support for the Sky Ranch for Boys in Buffalo, S.D. Avis was an avid Denver Bronco fan. More importantly, she was a devoted wife and mother who always put her family first.
Survivors include her son, Hugh W. (Angela) Colgrove, of Jacksonville, Fla; granddaughters Ashley S., Audra D. Green (Harrison) and Athryn A. Colgrove, all of Jacksonville, Fla.; sisters, Dorothy Mueller, of Fergus Falls, Minn.; Valeria Bohlig, of Minot, N.D.; Willard (Betty) Hoeft, of Hankinson, ND; sisters-in-law, Carol (Daryl) Jung, of New England, N.D.; Linell Patchin, of Joplin, Mo.; Marlys Hoeft, of Wahpeton, N.D.; along with numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and countless friends she made throughout her life.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Eugene Hoeft, brother-in-laws Art Mueller, John Bohlig, Michael Jung,; and sister-in-laws, Roberta (Bobbie) Ketterling, and Linda Peterman.
Visitation was March 23 at Erlinger Funeral Home in Fort Lupton with family present to greet friends. Services were at 10 a.m. March 24, 2014, at the United Methodist Church, 306 Park Ave., Fort Lupton. Interment followed at Hillside Cemetery in Fort Lupton. Memorial contributions may be made to the South Platte Historical Society or the Fort Lupton High School Boosters Club.