Nancy Clark Dakan Anders

Nancy Clark Dakan Anders died peacefully on September 9, 2023, at home, surrounded by her loving family, dear friends and her amazing and supportive caregivers. Nancy was born in Texas on December 18, 1949 to Willis R. Dakan, Jr. and Mary Jean (Lucas) Dakan, who, with Nancy’s son Weston Teal Anders, preceded her in death.  She is survived by son Colin Dakan Anders, brothers William Dakan (Libby) and Teal Dakan (Marty), nephews and nieces Andrew, Sarah, Katie, Robert and Rachel Dakan, and stepmother Bonnie Johnson Dakan.

As the first child, Nancy blazed the trail for her younger brothers, mellowing the parents and easing the brothers’ ride. Always social, Nancy was a Brownie and Girl Scout, and a participant in school dance, pep club and theatre programs.  At Wichita Southeast High School, Nancy’s talents as a graphic artist began to develop. Artworks and photo collages she made are prized by family members and proudly displayed in their homes and offices.

After high school, Nancy embarked on her life adventures as a freshman at Temple Buell/Colorado Women’s College in Denver, where she pursued studies in fine arts with a minor in bridge. She briefly returned to Wichita, continuing her studies at Wichita State University, before heading back to Colorado in the Winter Park area.

Nancy and Geoff Anders met in Winter Park, married and later divorced.  To their marriage came sons Teal and Colin, who they raised in the Winter Park - Granby area, in their home near Tabernash, nestled among the pine and aspen, with spectacular views of the mountain surroundings.

Son Teal was highly regarded in landscape maintenance, construction and design, and planned and built many of the features added to the Granby Ranch terrain park as the youngest Park Manager ever hired. Tragically, Teal’s life ended in 2012, a devastating event for Nancy, and for Colin and Geoff.

Son Colin shares Nancy’s interests in creative pursuits.  With Nancy’s support and encouragement, Colin became a filmmaker, completing his studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Nancy was so very proud of Colin’s accomplishments and of his work on set and in post-production for various Hollywood produced films, and in his independent filmmaking company, working with musicians and advertisers.

If you don’t count Nancy as a friend, you didn’t meet Nancy.  She had a great sense of humor and was a natural at connecting with others, just as they were.  Her first job on the Winter Park ski slopes, as a member of the Courtesy Patrol, made the most of her natural ease and charm.  Nancy always took more interest in others than in herself.  She maintained numerous, close friendships over many, many years.

Though not political, Nancy’s ability to skillfully communicate led to her successful run for office and reelection to several terms as County Assessor of Grand County, Colorado.  She later became the first Assessor for the City and County of Broomfield, then worked for the Colorado State Division of Property Taxation, teaching best practices to Assessors’ offices in counties across the state.  Nancy served as the Jefferson County Deputy Assessor until her retirement in 2021. Outside government, Nancy worked as a Certified Appraiser and a consultant on assessment and appraisal methods, computer and software systems and office management.  Nancy was active in professional associations in the assessment and appraisal field, and was elected by her peers to serve as President of the Colorado Assessors’ Association.             

In 2021 Nancy received a diagnosis of ALS, which she handled with grace and resolve, accepting what she could not change and making the most of the time allowed her.  She built an exceptional support team that enabled her to remain in her home, to travel and to maintain her many friendships, receiving visits from friends and family through the last of her days.

A celebration of life gathering will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider contributions in Nancy’s memory to Rocky Mountain PBS, 2101 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO 80205 or ALS Association – Rocky Mountain Chapter, 10855 Dover St, Suite 500, Westminster, CO 80021  

Arrangements: In Memoriam, 7290 W. 119th Place, Broomfield, CO 80020 www.inmemoriamservices.com .                 

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