, age 83, of Brighton, Colo., died peacefully Feb. 25, 2007, at his home, surrounded by his family. He had battled C.O.P.D. for several years.

He was born on April 1, 1923, in Denver, Colo., to Frank and Nelly (Survey) Nies. He attended schools in Brighton, and graduated from Brighton High School in 1941.

Harry married Alice Edelen on Oct. 15, 1949.

He was employed at the Great Western Sugar Factory, then worked on the family farm east of Brighton as a dryland wheat farmer.

He was an active member of St. Augustine’s Parish in Brighton. He was a member of the Optimist Club, Knights of Columbus, and Elks Lodge. He also drove the Platte Valley Ambulance for several years.

Harry was an accomplished inventor and fabricator of farm machinery and other “metal art.” He loved farming, gardening and working the land. He also loved spending time with his family.

He is survived by his son Steven Nies and Tawnia Clark of Hudson, Colo.; daughters Janet Young of Livingston, Mont., Gail and husband Greg Bayer of Brighton, Linda Nies and Michael Williams of Brighton, Kathy and husband Bill Flaherty of Brighton; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; an infant son; an infant daughter, Laura; and son Donald Nies.

Services were held March 2. Interment took place at Elmwood Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Laryngectomee Club, 15524 W. 51st Place, Golden, Colo., 80403; or the Mile High Humane Society, 11470 York, Northglenn, Colo., 80233.

, age 82, of Sterling, Colo., died Marcy 7, 2007, in Englewood, Colo.

He was born Aug. 4, 1924, in Iliff, Colo., to Michael and Elizabeth (Fritzler) Kautz. He graduated from Iliff High School in 1942.

Mr. Kautz served in the Army during World War II from 1945 to 1947.

He married Evelyn A. Keil on Dec. 14, 1947, in Sterling.

Stubby’s passion was farming, and repairing and fixing machinery. He was a Top 10 Beet Grower for many years.

He was a member of the Crook (Colo.) Fire Department. He belonged to Farm Credit Services for 29 years, and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He was a board member of the Harmony Ditch Company and the Prewitt Reservoir. He was an elder and Sunday School teacher at Faith English Lutheran Church in Crook, and at the First English Lutheran Church in Sterling.

He enjoyed his grandchildren, and their sports.

Stubby is survived by his wife, Evelyn, of Sterling; his daughters: Sherryl and husband Rex Clevenger of Imperial, Neb., Deborah and husband Clair Orr of Kersey, Colo., and Shawna and husband Joe Roche of Sterling; three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Alex and Edward Kautz, and two infant sisters.

Services were held on March 12 in Sterling. Interment with military honors took place at Riverside Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Crook Fire Department or the First English Lutheran Church in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1046, Sterling, Colo., 80751.

, age 75, a lifelong resident of North Platte, Neb., died March 6, 2007, at his home.

He was born on the family homestead near North Platte on Feb. 5, 1932, to Charles and Margaret L. (Horne) Long. He attended Long School, and graduated from North Platte High School in 1950. He then entered the U.S. Army, serving in Korea. After his honorable discharge in 1953, he worked as a surveyor for the soil conservation district.

On July 30, 1955, he married Margaret Hoatson in Sutherland, Neb. He worked as Art Director for KNOP TV for 10 years, before becoming a full-time artist and sculptor.

Energized by his love of the outdoors, he dedicated his life’s work to portraying the legacy of the Old West. Inspired by the journals of Lewis and Clark, tales of the Sioux, Cheyenne and Pawnee tribes, Long’s work is a series of discerning impressions depicting a unique time and place, the American Frontier. When Ted was not in his studio, he spent much of his time researching the sites and artifacts of the events described in his resources. His mediums were oil and bronze, and his attention to detail and accuracy sets his work in a class by itself.

Ted won many awards with his art, including the Old West Trails Foundation William F. Cody award, and in 1984 and 1991, he won the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum Permanent Collection Award. His work is in the Nebraska Museum of Art, and Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyo. He was a charter member of the Western Artists of America, and was instrumental in founding the Nebraskaland Days Art Show, and the Old West Museum Art Show at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Ted was inducted into the North Platte High Distinguished Alumni. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and Knights of Columbus Council #211.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, of North Platte; daughters Michaelene Long, and Catherine Long and Shane Baker, all of North Platte; sons Thomas and wife Connie Long of Gothenburg, Neb., and Patrick and wife Kathy Long of Elko, Nev.; two grandchildren, Trevor and Blair Golter; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Jim Long and wife Florence of Buffalo, Wyo.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services were held on March 12. Interment followed at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Neb., with military honors performed graveside.

, age 25, of Evans, Colo., died March 3, 2007, at her home.

She was born on May 13, 1981, in Greeley, Colo., to Garry and Judith (Prime) Criswell.

Shannon graduated from Highland High School in Ault, Colo., in 1999. She was attending AIMS Community College and the University of Northern Colorado at the time of her passing, and was working towards a pharmaceutical degree.

She loved her animals, especially her Boston Terrier, Annabelle; she also rescued a Greyhound. She loved dancing, and teaching other people to dance.

Everything Shannon did, she did whole-heartedly. She loved her niece and nephew.

Shannon is survived by her parents, Garry and Judy Criswell of Nunn, Colo.; a brother Shane Criswell and wife Mindy of Greeley; a niece Kelsey Criswell, and a nephew Weston Criswell, both of Greeley. She is also survived by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Beryl Criswell of Akron, Colo.; two aunts, and one uncle.

A celebration of Shannon’s life was held March 8 in Evans. Cremation was performed.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Weld County Humane Society in care of Moser Funeral Service, 3501 S. 11th Avenue, Evans, Colo., 80620.