December 4, 1965 - February 5, 2022
Michael Ray Nicodemus, 56 of Berthoud, CO passed away at UCHealth in Loveland, CO due to complications of Covid 19. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 2pm at SouthGate Church in Fort Collins, CO with Pastor Kevin McGinley officiating. Casting ceremony will take place in the summer of 2022. At Michael's request cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family in care of Gerald Berry. link: https://gofund.me/ccd032d5
Michael was born December 4, 1965 in Alliance, NE to Janet (Coker) Artz and Larry Nicodemus. He attended Roosevelt Grade School and graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1984. In high school, Michael enjoyed basketball, at 6'6'', was an avid lover of shop class and excelled with artistic gifts. He participated in multiple career industries through out his life as a cook at Grampy's, ranch hand near Hyannis and Bridgeport, NE, warehouse attendant at Kelly Bean Co. and accomplished his childhood dream of being a Conductor/Engineer for Union Pacific Railroad from '98 to '02.
Upon surviving a disabling accident as a conductor, Michael was a Chaplain with Cowboys For Christ (CFC) until '05. He yearned to teach God's love and created One Heart Ranch Ministries in Scottsbluff, NE to provide Christian based leadership through an understanding of horses and music including events at the YMCA Trails West Camp to promote healing, comfort and connection through God's love. His love for the mountains inspired him to continue his outreach in Loveland, CO and surrounding areas through light handyman services and spiritual health consulting from 2010 until his passing.
Michael enjoyed dancing, driving in the mountains, comedy movies, building model railroad sets and crafting. His treasured spirit was God loving, country western themed and horse loving with shared gifts of handcrafted horses, lamps, wagon wheels, cross clocks, horse paintings, hand carved story boards and murals that will be treasured by many. He aspired to be a carpenter and through multiple experiences he mastered many projects bringing joy through creativity and creation. His ability to help others paint their life's canvases grew over time through his quest of spiritual growth. When called upon for a devotional he once shared, "...question of the month is more quest than a question. The quest is one that we as Christians have to battle with everyday. The quest is more than what Christ does for us, but what we do with Christ living in us," Platte Valley CFC Chaplain, Christian Ranchman, Febr. 2004.
Michael is survived by his daughter, Savannah Merkel of Ontario, OR, newlywed wife Michelle (Byers) Nicodemus of Berthoud, CO, mother Janet Artz of Bayard, NE, father Larry (Pat) Nicodemus of Gering, NE, aunt Joan Coker of Scottsbluff, NE, sisters: Robyn Nicodemus of Bayard, Brenda (Chris) Schleicher of Chadron, NE and Lorlie (Mike) Dugger of Melbeta, NE, brother Gerald Berry of Romney, IN; nieces Selina Jahner, Cassy Nicodemus and Kyla Schily; Heather Wharton and Alicia (Adam) Pitman; Teona (Brad) Fritzler and Shelby (Clayton) Tanner; nephews Alexander Berry and Vance Berry; many great-nieces, -nephews and cousins. Michael was preceded in death by his step-father Clyde Artz, grandparents, uncles Charles (Evelyn), Ron and Ray Coker, brother Joel Nicodemus and best friend Paul.
Celebration of Life Service
Sunday, February 20, 2022
2:00 PM
SouthGate Church
6541 S College Ave
Fort Collins, co 80525
