On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, Thomas (Tom) Eugene Nieb, husband, father, uncle and grandfather, passed away at the age of 80. Tom was born on May 28, 1943, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Katharina and Joseph Nieb. After high school, Tom joined the Brothers of Holy Cross. He left the brotherhood in 1964 after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The illness would come to impact much of Tom’s life and the lives of his loved ones. Tom found his way to Colorado and met Laura Ann Ernest in 1973. His faith, generosity and exuberance instantly impressed Laura, who he rechristened Laurie. Their courtship culminated in marriage on March 2, 1974. He passed 11 days before their 50th wedding anniversary.
In addition to Laurie, he is survived by his sisters: Annie Carteaux and Lucy Monnier (Jim); his children Darcie (Bill), Kris (Shannon) and Andy (Maggie); his grandchildren Mason, Rory, Sebastian and Beckett. He had an immense pride for his children and celebrated each of his grandkids for their uniqueness.
Tom and Laurie lived in several places outside of Colorado, including Seattle, British Colombia and their beloved Hawai’i. He learned to ski at Winter Park with the help of Laurie’s brothers Mike, Bill (Sandy) and Scott (April), competing in New Zealand as a member of the U.S. Paralympic team in 1988, graduated from Regis University with a Bachelor of Science in 2004 and traveled to Germany on multiple occasions to visit his parent’s family. Of his many German relatives he cherished his cousin Luzia most.
He enjoyed a good meal, feeding the dogs scraps from the table, cheap scotch, serving a special garden salad in his oversized wooden bowl, roses, visiting Coors Field, rooting for his beloved Rockies, and while bedridden in his final weeks, eating a “daily burger” and sipping beer with well-wishers.
After living with Multiple Sclerosis for 50 years, dementia for 15, Tom succumbed to cancer at home in Colorado amongst loved ones. He lived with the conviction his best days were ahead of him, occasionally scheming plans to begin physical therapy to learn to walk again. For some time, we wondered if he would outlive us all!