Lewis Biegelsen Obituary

Biegelsen
Lewis & Wilma Biegelsen
June 27, 2023

It is with full hearts and great sadness we mourn the loss of our beloved Mom & Dad, Grandma & Grandpa. Lewis Martin Biegelsen (87) and Wilma Jean Cleese Biegelsen (88) who passed away February 11th, and June 27th, 2023, respectively.
Lew was born June 17th, 1935, to Benjamin & Anna Biegelsen in New York City. Raised in NY and Hollywood, FL, he attended Mercersburg HS in PA and went on to the University of Denver (DU). Wilma was born December 30th, 1934, in Yuma CO to Charles & Hazel Cleese (both born on CO homesteads). She was the much younger of 4 siblings, raised during the 'itchy feet' period of her dad's life, consisting of many moves throughout CO, WA, and TX. She graduated from Colorado Springs HS and went on to DU. Both enrolled in DU's business school, and met their 1st week. He focused on construction mgt. and she on real estate. One of their first outings as a couple was with a group of students to A-Basin. It was the early days of skiing gear and a frustrating one for the Florida boy. Even so, they quickly developed a great love of skiing together that lasted many years.
They graduated from DU in 1956 and began their married life together with Lew serving 2 years in the Army Reserves. They moved to Albuquerque where Lew began his career as a Homebuilder while Wilma concentrated on Homemaking. They had their first 2 children there, a 3rd in Santa Fe, and 4th in Boulder, where Lew started his 1st Homebuilding business. After a stint in Louisville, KY, they were happily able to move to Colorado Springs in 1972 when Lew went to work for American Builders. He worked for them, Vantage Homes, & his own Co. building many homes in the area. Wilma was a wonderful Homemaker, and Realtor. She was always committed to making the world a better place & devoted herself to the failed (for now) passage of the ERA. After caring for her mother at end of life, Wilma dedicated herself to the Hospice movement. She spent many years as a volunteer and staffer at Pikes Peaks Hospice, as did Lew after his retirement.
Coming from differing religious backgrounds, they found common community in the Unitarian Church. They loved to travel, bike, hike and ski with their dear friends. Wilma was an avid reader, and artisan with her sewing, knitting, gardening & many other talents. Lew loved all things sports, especially any CO team. He was a long time Broncos ticket holder and loved sharing the experience with others. Above all through their 66 years of marriage, Lew and Wilma loved each other, family, and friends.
They are proceeded in death by their parents and siblings, Joseph Z Biegelsen (Norma), Clarlyn Cleese Cummer (Bob), Tom Cleese (Alice), and Agnes Cleese Paulsen (Forrest). They are survived by their children, Samuel Biegelsen (Aurelio Madrid), Joseph Biegelsen (Casey), Ann Biegelsen (Daman Holland), Lynn Biegelsen McCamant (Tom); Grandchildren, Leo Fairbanks, Fred Biegelsen, Clara Fairbanks, Hazel Biegelsen, Devin McCamant, Kat McCamant, and Louise Holland.
A celebration of life is planned for 1 pm August 11th at All Souls Unitarian Church. All are welcome to attend.