Helzer, Bert (Burdette), Jan. 27, 1938-June 22, 2014 The Tribune Greeley, Colorado 27 Jun 2914 Age: 76 Residence: Greeley Bert (Burdette) Helzer, was born Jan. 27, 1938, in Fort Collins, Colo., to Henry and Christine (Hahn) Helzer. He passed away June 22, 2014, at NCMC in Greeley. Bert married, the love of his life, Colleen, in Greeley, and they were blessed with 45 years of marriage. Bert graduated in 1956 from Wiggins High School, where he played football. As a young man he held jobs in the oil fields of Wyoming and also as a cross country truck driver. He entered the Army in 1961, and after completing his military service, he was honorably discharged in 1963. Upon completion of his military service, Bert returned to Greeley and began his career repairing cars and fostering his hobby of building race cars. He operated a Philips 66 service station and then opened his business, Helzer Automotive Repair. Bert continually received praise from his customers for his ability to diagnose and repair any vehicle. He had a passion for understanding the workings of anything mechanical. After selling his business, he managed the automotive repair shop and the tire department at Big R of Greeley. Prior to his retirement, he was a General Manager for Shell Oil, managing the Jiffy Lube in Greeley. Throughout Bert’s career, he received multiple awards recognizing his superior customer service and outstanding sales at both Big R and Shell Oil. Bert was a loyal fan of the Denver Broncos, and as a season ticket holder, he rarely missed attending home games. Attending Bronco home games was a special guy’s ritual for Bert, his son-in-law and grandson. Bert also loved to travel and was always ready for an adventure. Bert and Colleen took many trips to Hawaii and across the continental United States. They also traveled extensively throughout Europe, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. He especially enjoyed the family cruises to Hawaii, the Mediterranean, Mexico and the Caribbean, where he and Colleen were also joined by their daughter, son-in-law and grandson. After his retirement from Shell Oil, he focused on his love of gardening, cooking and overseeing a major remodeling of their home. He enjoyed tomato growing contests with his mother-in-law, and helping her with her home, yard and errands. He loved family patio parties, which included grilling great food for all to enjoy. He stayed involved and busy, working part time for the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greeley; working with the church council, and keeping the church in top shape until his retirement in 2007. Bert was a remarkable man and will always be remembered as an eternal optimist with an endearing smile. He will be remembered as an extremely hardworking and generous person. He continually demonstrated his love and appreciation for his wife and family with cards, flowers and gifts. He loved spoiling his daughter Melissa, and always enjoyed it when they were in the kitchen cooking and spending time together. He will be deeply missed forever by his family, whom he cherished and loved beyond measure. He is survived by his wife, Colleen of Greeley; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Kevin Bowles of Greeley; grandson, Deric Bowles of Greeley; brother, Darwin (Fritz) Helzer of Fort Morgan; and sister, Ruth Rein of Brighton. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Willard and Russell Helzer; sister-in-law, Bonnie Loftus; and mother-in-law, Isabel Deuel. Private family services were held at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greeley. Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, to “Weld Food Bank” in care of Adamson’s Funeral Home, 2000 47 Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.