Edward Nau

Edward Nau

November 5, 1920 – February 26, 2019

Edward Nau was born on Nov. 5, 1920, in Duluth, Minn., the son of Gottfried and Elizabeth (Nee: Leonhardt) Nau, immigrants from Bavaria, Germany. His family moved from Duluth to Waukesha, Wis., where Edward finished school, helped his father and brothers with the family automobile repair business, and worked on the family farm alongside his seven brothers and one sister. In October of 1942 Edward enlisted at Fort Sheridan, Ill., in the U.S. Air Force and was sent to Keesler Field, Biloxi, Miss., for basic training. In December of 1942 Edward was shipped off to the South Pacific to join the 67th Fighter Squadron of the 13th Air Force. Edward served as a navigator and flight engineer on the fighter and courier planes in the Pacific until he was honorably discharged in 1945 with several combat medals.

While on leave in Townsville, Australia, during his tour of duty, Edward met his future wife Cathline Kaissis. Edward requested to be discharged in Australia so he could marry Cathline. He started an auto body shop in Darwin and worked there until his first child, Elizabeth, was born.  They returned to the United States in 1947 and eventually settled in California, where they raised their five children. In 1973 Edward moved to Palisade, Colo., and, later relocated to Berthoud to live with his son Andrew.

During his life Edward worked mainly as an auto body repair man. He also taught adult education, worked for Grand Junction Airport, and owned and operated a peach orchard in Palisades. When Edward wasn’t working he enjoyed being a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, being an Ambassador for the Mesa County AARP, creating whimsical landscaping at each of his homes, dabbling in oil painting, camping, fishing, enjoying his children, and holding hands with his wife.

This honorable man is survived by daughters Elizabeth Markoe (Danny) of Granada Hills, Calif., and Linda Mills (Rocky) of Westlake Village, Calif.; sons Edward John Nau, Jr. (Sherri) of Redding, Calif., and Andrew Nau, of Berthoud, Colo.; brother Tony Nau, of Port Washington, Wis.; 10 grandchildren: Aaron, Lisa, Sean, Jason, Ambrea, Sunday, Andrea, Ryan, Lauren and Ridge; 18 great-grandchildren: David, Luke, Nichole, Chad, Anthony, Nicky, Lisa, Julian, Peyton, Megan, Ahdi, Iden, Lily, Laken, Haven, Avery, Rourik and Kallae; two great-great grandchildren Emma and Oliver.

Edward is preceded in death by his wife Cathline; his daughter Frances; his granddaughter Delana; his brothers Joseph, William, George, Francis, Arthur and Thomas; and his sisters Annie and Margaret.

Please visit www.Allnuttloveland.com to share your remembrances of Edward. Funeral services for Edward John Nau of Berthoud, will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 1 p.m. at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver.