Norman James Neuhalfen
KEENESBURG, Colo. — Norman James Neuhalfen, 86, Keenesburg, Colo., died peacefully Sept. 2, 2019, in Fort Lupton, Colo., after battling a few years of dementia/Alzheimer’s.
Norman’s life was celebrated Sept. 6, in conjunction with the Memorial Mass at St. Joseph Parish, Golden, Colo., which was already planned for his recently deceased son, Kevin. Rev. Joseph Tran officiated the Mass. A reception was followed by burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery with military honors. He is now laid to rest with his son, Kevin.
A memorial Mass was also held Sept. 28 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Roggen, Colo.
Norman was born July 12, 1933, in Coleridge, to Catherine I. and Henry P. Neuhalfen. He married Jeanette Bergman, Creighton, Aug. 31, 1955. Over the next 13 years, their family grew to 11, welcoming nine children. In true Norm fashion, with humor, if asked how many children they had, he would say, “we have three daughters … and they have six brothers.”
Norman is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jeanette Neuhalfen, Keenesburg, Colo., and his eight children, Larie Bratcher (Terry), Las Vegas, Nev.; Michelle Greenwald (Greg), Westminster, Colo.; Teri Spinuzzi (Bill), Broomfield, Colo.; Doug Neuhalfen, Arvada, Colo.; Jon Neuhalfen, Johnstown, Colo.; Dennis Neuhalfen (Kris), Loveland, Colo.; Mike Neuhalfen, Limon, Colo.; and Jeff Neuhalfen (Ronnie), Denver, Colo.; brothers, Carroll (Shirley) Neuhalfen, Hartington, and Gary Neuhalfen, Coleridge; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins and many other relatives.
He was preceded in death, very recently, by his eldest son, Kevin; his parents; his older brother, Duane; three brothers and two sisters who died in infancy; two nephews, Dwayne and Kyle; a granddaughter, Donia; and a great-grandson, Benjamin; along with many other relatives.
Norman grew up in the country in Coleridge, with a love of the land and worked hard as a family farm boy. He was a very studious boy who took in the world around him, always learning everything he could. He liked to read encyclopedias just to take it all in. That is likely what earned him the nickname “brains” in high school.
He joined the Army in 1953, and served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged not long after enlisting due to a back injury. While living in Keenesburg, he was a member of the American Legion Post 180. After getting married and starting a family in Colorado, Norman and Jeanette made moves to Nebraska and California and then returned to Colorado. Norman worked hard to support his family. His employment history included working at the South Dakota State Hospital, selling vacuum cleaners, doing benchman work for an optical company, and at Seaboard Finance in Colorado, Nebraska and California. In Denver, he helped start up the Women’s Bank and worked at various other banks in the Denver Metro area until retirement. After retiring, he worked for First Transit as a shuttle driver. He also sold cars at Formby Ford, Fort Lupton, Colo.
In his free time on the weekends, it was always flea markets, garage sales and farm sales. Collectibles and oddities were his focus along with antique cars and machinery. He was known to be cruising the streets of Keenesburg on his unique motorcycle while he carried out his neighborhood watch duties for the town.
Over the years, he also had side businesses such as car lots and a small restaurant, The Dog House, in West Arvada selling Wimmer’s hotdogs, which he grew up on and loved, and wanted to share their unique taste with the Arvada community.
Faith was always important to Norman and he always set examples for his family and friends by attending daily Mass and making Sunday a priority for the Lord. That same faith carried him through some of the roughest times of his life. In the end, that was the beauty, as Father Peter Dinh gave him his last rites.