Ted Metier

Ardeth Theodore Metier passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at Columbine West Care Center surrounded by loved ones and wonderful caretakers. Ted was born in Promise City, Iowa on August 16, 1924 to Ardath and Fay Metier. He graduated from Spencer, Iowa High School, the University of South Carolina and the University of Iowa Law School. He served in the Navy from March 26, 1943 to June 13, 1946 as an aviation radioman and later attended officers' candidate school. He retired in 1992 as an Assistant Attorney General of the State of Iowa. He met Joyce Rimel at the University of Iowa and married her on September 3, 1950. He always referred to her as "my girlfriend" and to himself as "Ol' Ted". They were joined by a son Tom in 1954. This summer Ted and Joyce celebrated 60 years of marriage, love and devotion with a large family reunion. Ted was a runner, swimmer, gymnast, and enjoyed piloting his own plane. He invented and held a patent on the Magnet Visor designed to keep the sun out of the eyes of short people while driving. Ted liked to work with wood in his workshop and made many useful items for the home. He also made the bell choir cabinet for Christ United Methodist Church. Music played a large part in Ted's life. He sang in several barbershop quartets: the Four Nubbins (kernels of corn) were very popular and in demand throughout the country. After moving to Fort Collins in 1994, he joined the SOAP troup at the Senior Center and sang tenor with the SOAP Tones. He was a charter member of the Spencer, Iowa Community Theatre and appeared in many of their musical productions. He was active in Kiwanis, Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Spencer YMCA. He helped to organize and build Oakwood Methodist Church in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. Ted was very proud of his son and attended all his wrestling matches and school activities. The neighborhood kids always wanted Ted to "come out and play". He loved and enjoyed his many nieces and nephews and they were happy to sing along with him. His grandchildren, Jack and Stacy, were the apple of his eye. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, his son Tom Metier, daughter-in-law Kathy, all of Fort Collins, grandchildren Jack (Denver), Stacy (Fort Collins), a brother Dick (Audrey) of Fort Dodge, Iowa and a sister Marge Keefe (Robert) of Indianapolis, Indiana. His parents, a brother Bill Metier and sister-in-law Liz, preceded him in death. A celebration of life will be held at Christ United Methodist Church, Saturday, February 19 at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, Metier Special Music Fund, 301 East Drake, Ft. Collins, Colorado 80525.