Nikki L. Rusch

NIKKI LU (BRUNGARDT) RUSCH, 79, OF WALDEN, COLORADO, PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY AT THE HOME OF HER NIECE, SARAH SCOTT, IN BRIGHTON, COLORADO, ON MARCH 25, 2019, WITH HER LOVING HUSBAND, RANDY, DAUGHTER, DANETTE, AND GRANDAUGHTER, RENAE, BY HER SIDE

Nikki was born to Karl and Zayda (Clingman) Brungardt on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1939, in Loveland, Colorado. She attended the Washington School and Loveland Junior-Senior High School. As a young woman, she worked as a nurse's assistant at a nursing home and as a production worker at the Lego factory in Loveland. In later years, she worked doing laundry for The Coffee Pot Cafe in Walden. She was an impeccable housekeeper and took great pride in keeping a clean, tidy home. She loved her German heritage and German foods, she especially enjoyed making noodles and kraut burgers.

Nikki married the late Monte Albert Hacker in Loveland and they had three children: Dana, Danette and Deann. They were divorced and a few years later, Nikki met Richard "Randy" Rusch in 1981 and they were married in Loveland and moved to Walden in 1983. Nikki and Randy were the perfect complement to each other. They were inseparable – where one was, so was the other. They enjoyed cooking and cleaning together, reading the Bible and watching TV. She enjoyed having Randy research her genealogy. She was very proud of her German upbringing and was taught to speak German at home. Nikki's grandparents from both sides of her family were a big part of her life growing up. She was also very close to her father, a true daddy's girl. Nikki always had at least one dog throughout her life. She loved her pets. She was fascinated with the Amish way of life and read many books learning about their culture and lifestyle. She loved listening to the old country music tunes of her youth and she proudly remembered the days when she had horses, rabbits and a garden. Nikki was a very strong and a beautifully simple, stoic woman who will be missed by her family. She maintained her physical and emotional strength right up to the end of her life.

Nikki lost her son, Dana Albert Hacker, in December 2017. She looked forward to the day when she would be reunited with her son, parents and grandparents. We can only imagine what a reunion that must have been. She was also preceded in death by brother, Dennis Deane Brungardt, sister, Beverly June Ferrell, stepmother, Ramona (Harris) Brungardt; nephews, Michael Dean Brungardt, Carl Gordon Taylor, Shawn Ferrell; nieces, Sheri Galloway and Dara Lee Ferrell; brother-in-law, Buddy Miller; and 3 infant great-grandchildren.

Nikki is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Randy Rusch, of Walden, her two daughters: Danette (David) Jones of Denver; and Deann Hacker of Loveland; 8 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. She is also survived by her sisters, Becky (Charles) Jackson and Diana Miller, her brothers: Kenny (Neva) Hendrickson, Kerry (Patricia) Brungardt, Jay (Kathy) Brungardt, Von (Maxine) Brungardt and Wayne (Kristi) Brungardt, brothers-in-law, Jeff (April) Rusch, Mike (Tammie) Rusch, Rusty (Lisa) Rusch and sister-in-law, Cheri (Gary) Bryan, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Graveside service and burial took place at 1 p.m. at the Jackson County Cemetery, in Walden on Saturday, March 30, 2019. Nikki insisted she be buried with her wedding rings and her childhood Bible. Pastor Tim Demoret from North Park Baptist Church in Walden officiated the service. Bohlender Funeral Chapel in Fort Collins was in charge of arrangements. A family gathering to celebrate Nikki's life is being planned for the summer of 2019.