Obituary of Nina Saffer

Nina Saffer passed away of natural causes, Sunday, April 13,2014 at the Emeritus at Broadmoor, an assisted living complex, in Colorado Springs, CO. She was 87 years old. Nina Kathleen (Josserand) Saffer was born August 8, 1926, in Haskel County, KS, to Charley Clyde and Erica Irene (Wright) Josserand. She was the second of six children. The Josserand family later moved to Gray County, KS, where Nina attended grade school through eighth grade. She then attended Copeland High School graduating with the class of 1944. In June of that year she moved with her parents and younger siblings to Flagler, Co, where her father, Charley, had purchased the Robb place northwest of Flagler, later selling it to Herman Fritzler. In November of 1944, Nina left by train for Springfield, MO, where she attended Western Union Telegraph School. After graduation, she worked in their offices in McPherson and Liberal, KS until December 1945. Nina then taught eight grades in Schneider country school in the Shaw, CO area with a WWII certificate until April 1946. In August 1946, Nina moved into Flagler and rented a room from Rube and Otho Sparks and began working as a clerk at Williams Pharmacy. While working there she met Merl Saffer who came in frequently for limeade. He, of course, was working across the street at the Gambles Store. Early on the morning of July 6, 1947, Merl and Nina accompanied by Rube and Otho Sparks made their way to Denver where Merl and Nina were married by Rev. E.W. Ferrin, a former pastor of the Flagler Baptist Church. After a short honeymoon to Estes Park they returned home to Flagler where Merl worked at the Gambles Store with his mother, Olive, and Nina became a homemaker which she always enjoyed. On January 4, 1949, a son, David Russell, was born to Merl and Nina and a daughter, Martha Irene followed on June 16, 1951. In August 1947, Nina placed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior, was baptized and became a member of the Flagler Baptist Church. She was a very active member serving in offices of the ABW women’s organization singing in the choir, playing the piano for services when needed, and teaching Sunday School. She taught three and four year olds for eighteen years. Nina loved children and they knew it. After Martha started grade school, Nina began working three days a week at the store with Merl. She enjoyed meeting the needs of customers and getting in new merchandise. As Merl became more involved in farming, Nina worked more at the store in the summers. In the early 1980’s, Merl realized that it was becoming more difficult for Nina to accomplish the work at the store and keep up with house work and gardening at home. Merl also wanted to be a full-time farmer so he sold the store in April of 1983. In September of 1974, Merl and Nina took a trip to South Korea where their son, Russ, was serving as a missionary with the Navigators. They saw Hawaii, Japan, and South Korea returning home via Alaska where they stopped and spent a few days with Nina’s sister, Charlene. In the early 1970’s Nina stepped out of her comfort zone and led a women’s Bible Study. She grew spiritually herself during this time and developed lasting relationships with those women. In January 1980, Merl and Nina first experienced grandchildren with the birth of Lois and later in August Nathan was born. In 1981, Joseph was born followed by JoAnna in 1982. Jonathan entered the picture in 1984 and David came in 1985 followed by Deborah in 1988, Daniel in 1990, Stephen in 1993 and ending with Evangeline in 1995. These children were a special delight to Nina and she was always grateful to have them all living so near. She loved to spend individual time with each of them at her home painting, playing board games or watching videos. They also met many needs for her over the years like mowing her yard. Merl and Nina celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 6, 1997, with family and friends just 41 days before Merl passed away. Nina did beautiful embroidery work, enjoyed knitting and crocheting and quilting. She made a quilt for each of her grandchildren. She always looked forward to being in the “nursing home” so she would have more time to do hand work. However, by the time she got there she had lost the skills because she could no longer remember how to do those things. Nina was an outspoken woman and you never had to wonder where she stood on an issue. Nina gave her life to her family and to serving at church. She fit in with Merl’s plans and helped him in anyway she could. She loved having her family around her and had the heart of a teacher from which we all benefited. We are grateful for the 87 years the Lord gave Nina. When she was 12 or 13 years old her mother realized that she was not developing properly so she took Nina to the doctor. The doctor said, ”It’s okay Mrs. Josserand . She won’t live to be more than 20 anyway.” Nina not only lived to be 87 but she is the last one of her high school graduating class to pass. Early Sunday morning April 13 2014, Nina’s earthly life ended and she went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Nina is survived by: her son, Russ (Kathy ) Saffer, her daughter, Martha (Keith) Marr, her brothers, Orville (Shirley)Josserand and JD Josserand, brother-in-law, Sid Hubbard, sisters, Anna Hatten McCutchin and Charlene Josserand, sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Saffer and Joyce Saffer, ten grandchildren, Lois (Grant) Garner, Joseph (Lupe) Saffer, Jonathan Saffer, Nathan ( Misty) Marr, JoAnna ( Ivan) Soto, David (Betsy) Marr, Deborah Marr, Daniel Marr, Stephen Marr and Evangeline Marr. Thirteen great-grandchildren: Ella Garner, Victoria Saffer, Rosanna, Grace, Elizabeth, Andrew, Rebekah, Ruth and Philip Marr, Isabel and Miguel Soto, Kalianna and Ellie Marr and two more on the way and a host of nieces and nephews. She is preceeded in death by: her parents, Charley and Irene Josserand, her husband, Merl Saffer, sister, Virginia Hubbard, brother-in-law, NA McCutchin, sister-in-law, Jean Josserand, great-grandson, Eben Buay Garner and nephews, Allen and Charles McCutchin, and Boyd and Lloyd Josserand, Jeff Saffer, niece, Velda Miller, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Levi and Opal Miller, Dale and Mildred Saffer, Avon and Edith Saffer, Claude and Fern Saffer, Ross and Pearl Saffer and Glenn Saffer.