Pauline Fern Nusser

December 10, 2020

Pauline Fern (Harold) was born April 2nd, 1928 to Elizabeth and Edward Harold.  She was born at the family farmstead, 12 miles north of Weskan (as each of her siblings were).  Pauline has passed at the age of 92, on November 24th, 2020 in Burlington, CO at The Legacy Assisted Living.
She would say, as the youngest of 10 children, she was the ‘spoiled one’.  Her loving parents and siblings constantly doted on her.  She LOVED farm life and animals, especially her pet dogs.  She’d help her father check cattle and other chores, feeling guilty when sometimes slipping outside was more inviting.  She talked of how she loved fixing her mother’s long beautiful hair - an interest of hers from a young age.  
She was very close to her mother and father, and her siblings.  You can’t talk about mother’s life without talking about her relationship with brother, Warren - who was 3 years older.  He was her best friend, playmate, her protector.  They developed a bond that never left mother’s heart.  He graduated and enlisted in the Army; but returned, married a sweet lady - and moved nearby the farmstead.  
In 1946, Pauline graduated from high school and later met a young Navy Corpsman - Lee Gale Nusser.  They were married on April 4th, 1948.  Five daughters were born to this union.  
It was late November 1950, when Warren contracted Polio and suffered terribly.  Pauline contracted Polio at the same time, but had symptoms milder as she was pregnant, according to her doctor.  It was a very sad time for all the family.  She repeated the story throughout her life of their time together and how Dr. Renner of Goodland flew Warren in his 2 seater tail dragger plane to the Hays Hospital.  At the same time, her father drove her there to be admitted, also.  Her bed was nearby, and she’d listen to the Iron Lung helping Warren breathe, then it suddenly stopped about a week later.  She never quit mourning his passing; keeping his memorabilia on display in her farm home and then at the Legacy. 
In 1953, Pauline’s husband, Gale tried farming near Weskan, living in several homes including the old Port of Entry.  But, it was a hard life to make a living.  During that time, three daughters were born:  Sherry, Deborah, and Elizabeth.
They moved to Wichita, not liking the area so that winter they moved to  Steamboat Springs.  The family enjoyed the area and had many fun outings driving through the scenic mountains.  Gale worked for the State Highway Department.  In 1954, they moved to Canon City, and they lived with Gale’s mother in a large two story home on 5 acres.  What fun was had by all... plenty of room to roam!!  A huge pond at the bottom of a long winding hill - but watch out for those Stinging Nettles!  Many beautiful flowerbeds, a large garden, fruit trees, and grapevines forever instilled the family to love gardening.   Kristina was born during this time.  
In 1956, they purchased an acre in town, and began building a new home - out of ammunition boxes!  It was quite a feat, master-minded by Gale. It was the summer of 1958, when the lovely home was finished and moved in.  Gale was a guard at the Colorado Correctional Facility, so it was after hours they worked on the home.  The girls were excited to get new bikes, and they had a horse to ride, and neighbors to play with.  Landscaping and gardening began, laying hens and a few milk goats were added.  A couple years later, Karen was born.  Pauline taught her older daughters many things - including to can vegetables and operate the wringer wash machine.  Many fun outings were at the A&W, where root beer floats were enjoyed by all.  You can’t forget those thrilling, but scary, Skyline Drives - along a very narrow 2.6 mile razorback ridge overlooking the city!!  
When Karen was almost a year old, it was decided the family needed additional income.  So Pauline enrolled in a Cosmetology school in Colorado Springs, driving 90 miles round trip, 5 days a week through mountainous roads.  And, studying late at night.  The oldest daughter became the 2nd mother.  During the day, a neighbor lady watched little Karen, who would get pulled everywhere by her sisters, including to this lady’s home.  Sometimes Pauline would take all her daughters to her school and they’d spend the day playing in a huge park across the street.  Pauline’s instructor was a sweet and caring lady, who she nicknamed Mama Keys.  A year later, Pauline graduated and then Gale started Barber School.
In the Spring of 1963, they heard the tourist season in Manitou Springs was bustling!!  They found employment at connecting salons and made plans to move.   The girls were very verbal not wanting to move!  It was a very sad day when they left.  SO many wonderful memories living there...  
The house was sold and away they went.  It helped the transition with Manitou being such a fun place to live!  The family attended regular square dances and the Penny Arcade was full of great entertainment and games!    
A home was rented, near their new employment.  At noon each day, the older sisters packed lunches and pulled Karen in the same little red wagon, a mile down the hill, delivering lunch to their parents.  That Fall, the 3 oldest girls enrolled in school.  But, the tourist season ended and the salon business declined.  In December, Pauline’s oldest sister, Irene Paul offered to rent her Barber Shop/Pool Hall business in Weskan.  They moved into the home attached and named the business:  KLIP & KURL.  Pauline’s business quickly grew, with ladies coming from surrounding towns.  They loved how she fixed their hair!  As well, all of Pauline’s daughters have fond memories of her fixing their hair so beautifully.  The pool hall was the only business in town for kids to hang out and play games.  The older girls had great fun serving up fountain drinks, malts and banana splits.  The youngest enjoyed riding her tricycle everywhere.  Of course, the boys would show off their snooker skills, lots of laugher while competing.  
Pauline was excited to be back near her dear mother and brother, Russell and sisters Irene and Ruth.  In 1964, Gale constructed a building for their own Beauty / Barber shop, located a couple miles north of Weskan and a mobile home was set up for the family to live.  In 1966, they talked of moving to Australia.  Wooden crates were packed.  However, when Pauline’s mother heard the news, she was devastated.  Her mother then deeded her land, located 12 miles north of Weskan at the end of what is now called Mt. Sunflower Road.  Plans began of a hog operation and farming, planting a windbreak of trees and surrounding areas, and sod was broke.  The two youngest daughters also helped and Garry, their son-in-law did the electrical work plus other help.  Pauline was a faithful helper in every way possible!  In 1970, a lovely home was built and mother quit her Beauty Salon business.   
In 1992, Gale decided to retire and travel, but Pauline wanted to stay on her beloved farm and enjoy all her children and grandchildren.  So, they went their separate ways and ended the marriage.    
Anytime in the summer that you dropped by, you might find Pauline mowing - keeping her entire acreage neat and tidy.  Or, tending to her flowers and asparagus patch.  She was still an outdoor gal.  Evenings you’d find her crocheting, following the instructions to a T.  She made beautiful dolls, giving one to each daughter and granddaughter.  She also made doilies - many trips to town were often to find a ‘new pattern’ of something else to make and give away.  In town, you’d see her car parked at the Library - checking out more books to read, keeping them handy near her rocking chair.    
Pauline was a big fan of the Denver Broncos!  She’d call her son-in-law, Garry asking “When do they play next?”.   Lots of laughter while they watched many games together.   
Pauline was an avid fan of all sports and every other event at the Weskan school.  She loved and supported all her daughters and the same for her grandchildren.  It was common to hear her cheering at the ballgames... as she was there - come rain or shine!!  
Driving was one of her passions, always on the go to see family and friends.  A very social lady.  Often taking a neighbor lady friend to other activities.
She shared the same love for ‘birds’ - as her brother, Russell.  She’d often drive to Cheyenne Wells... just to get MORE bird feed! 
A very positive and energetic lady.  Hard to say if she ever had a bad day!!  A tough gal both mentally and physically.  Even though polio left her spine severely damaged, with many aches and pains, she kept going strong. 
Pauline had a strong faith in God and in earlier years she attended the Arapahoe Community Church.  
Pauline’s five daughters Sherry (husband Garry); Deborah (husband Steve); Elizabeth; Kristina (husband Rick); and Karen (husband Dan); and 17 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren - will all miss her immensely!!  Plus, a host of Harold and Nusser relatives and many dear friends.     
Inurnment will be at the Weskan Cemetery - as Pauline wished to be placed near the headstone of her beloved brother, Warren.  A celebration of her life will be determined at a later date.
Family and friends may register online condolences and sign the guestbook entrusted by the Brown Funeral Home:  www.brownfuneraldirectors.com
Memorials may be sent to the Eastern Colorado Bank, with donation plans to the Northwest Kansas Animal Shelter and her hometown improvements.