Kennard Wayne Nau was born March 23, 1942, to John and Erna (Bock) Nau. He died at home on June 12, 2023.
Kennard was the second of three children, June (older) and Donnie (younger). He attended Lutheran Parochial school through eighth grade and graduated from Yuma Union High School in 1960. In high school he met Jan Mekelburg and they were married February 7, 1965. They began their married life on Kennard’s parents homestead. To this union five children were born: Shad, Lisa, Clint, Tom and Jason.
Kennard was a lifelong farmer. He began farming with his father, John; later in partnership with his brother, Donnie; and eventually with his sons, Clint and Tom. You could see the passion of his farming from the straightness of his rows to the smile on his face at harvest time. He loved to share many of his adventurous tales from his younger years: flying in a small plane with his brother Donnie as they hunted coyotes; a childhood egg fight with his brother, sister and cousins; or the time when Kennard and Clint toured the Caterpillar Tractor Factory in Illinois. He loved to watch and track the development of thunder storms as they rolled across the Eastern plains. Kennard enjoyed carpentry and metal working. He was constantly building or modifying his farm machinery and equipment. He and Jan designed and built the home they live in.
Kennard is survived by his wife Jan; children: Shad (Alise), Lisa (DV), Clint (Nancy), Tom (Casey) and Jason (Katie); Grandchildren: Brittney (Tucker), Bryan, Hailey, Natalie, Maisy, Clyde, Tristan, Emma and James; Great Granddaughter Evelyn; and sister June Andrews.
He is preceded in death by his parents John and Erna, brother Donnie and twin grandsons Max and Jake.
Funeral services were held on Friday, June 16, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma, CO, with Pastor Trenton Christensen officiating. Interment followed at Yuma Cemetery. Baucke Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
2023-06-22