Lewis and Wilma Biegelsen

It is with full hearts and great sadness we mourn the loss of our beloved Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa. Lewis Martin Biegelsen (87) and Wilma Jean Cleese Biegelsen (88) who passed away February 11th, and June 27th 2023, respectively. Lew was born June 17th, 1935 to Benjamin and Anna Biegelsen in New York City. Raised in New York and Hollywood, Florida, he attended Mercersburg High School in Pennsylvania. At the behest of his father he went to the University of Denver (DU). Wilma was born December 30th 1934 in Yuma Colorado to Charles and Hazel Cleese (who had themselves been born on Colorado homesteads). She was the much younger of 4 siblings, raised during the ‘itchy feet’ period of her dad’s life, consisting of many moves throughout Colorado, Washington state and Texas (during WWII). She graduated from Colorado Springs High School and went on to DU. Lew and Wilma were both enrolled in DU’s business school. He focused on construction management and she on real estate. They met their first week of college. He soon offered her a ride to their downtown classes, and the rest was history. One of their first outings as a couple was with a group of students going to A-Basin skiing. It was the early days of alpine skiing equipment and a frustrating one for the Florida boy whose friends helped outfit him for the occasion. Even so, they quickly developed a great love of skiing together that lasted many years. They both graduated from DU in 1956 and began their married life together with Lew serving 2 years in the Army Reserves. During this time, they moved to Albuquerque where Lew began his career as a Homebuilder while Wilma concentrated on Homemaking. They had their first 2 children in Albuquerque, a 3rd in Santa Fe, and 4th in Boulder, where Lew started his 1st Homebuilding business. Changes in the market precipitated a move to Louisville, KY in 1969. They were happily able to return to Colorado Springs in 1972 when Lew went to work for American Builders. He spent the majority of the rest of his career there building numerous homes in the Colorado Springs area. Wilma was a wonderful Homemaker, and worked in Real Estate as a Broker and Investor. She was always committed to making the world a better place and devoted herself to the failed (for now) passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. After caring for her mother at the end of her life, Wilma became very dedicated to the Hospice movement. She spent many years as a volunteer and paid staffer at Pikes Peaks Hospice, as did Lew after his retirement. Coming from differing religious backgrounds, they found common ground and community in the Unitarian Church. They loved to travel, bike, hike and ski with their dear friends. Wilma was a very avid reader, and an artisan with her sewing, knitting, gardening and many other talents. Lew loved all things sports and especially any Colorado team. He was a long time Denver Broncos ticket holder and loved sharing going to games with friends and family. He was into fly fishing and scuba diving. Above all Lew and Wilma loved each other through their 66 years of marriage, their family, and their friends. They are proceeded in death by their parents and siblings, Joseph Z Biegelsen (Norma), Clarlyn Cleese Cummer (Bob), Tom Cleese (Alice), and Agnes Cleese Paulsen (Forrest). They are survived by their children, Samuel Biegelsen (Aurelio Madrid), Joseph Biegelsen (Casey), Ann Biegelsen (Daman Holland), Lynn Biegelsen McCamant (Tom); Grandchildren, Leo Fairbanks, Fred Biegelsen, Clara Fairbanks, Hazel Biegelsen, Devin McCamant, Kat McCamant, and Louise Holland. A Celebration of Life is planned for 1 pm August 11th at All Souls Unitarian Church in Colorado Springs. All are welcome to attend.

Lewis and Wilma Biegelsen

June 27, 2023