Nicole Clarice Burke – September 30, 2024

Nicole “Nickie” Burke (Fatuch), age 41, passed away on September 30, 2024. She was a resident of Canon City, Colorado, for the last two years and was formerly a resident of Bennett, Colorado. She had put her teaching career on hold to raise her family but was recently in the process of beginning work as a substitute teacher at Canon City Middle and High Schools and had been working at Walmart part-time. Previously, she used her skills and joy for teaching to spread positivity and wellbeing to her community by teaching fitness classes at the Bennett Recreation Center. She motivated her class participants in staying healthy and reaching their fitness goals by creating a positive environment with tons of laughs, perseverance, and plenty of awkward dancing (especially in turbo kick classes).

Nickie was born on January 31, 1983, to John Barger and Lori Pindell (Vance). On February 13, 2007, she married Marc Burke, with whom she had five children. Nickie was a dedicated mom whose greatest joy was spending time with her children and attending their many sporting events, marching band performances, and other school activities. She never missed an event. She was incredibly proud of them and all their accomplishments and was a significant influence on the amazing people they have become and will continue to grow up to be.

Nickie graduated from Bennett High School in 2001 and from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2006 with a Bachelor of Secondary Education, majoring in History and minoring in English and Special Education.

Nickie was an avid reader and was rarely seen without a book nearby. She loved Harry Potter, read every Harry Potter book through to the spine multiple times, and regularly had one of the many movies playing in the background. Growing up, she was a huge fan of Beauty & the Beast, and her family often compared her to Belle, whose library from the movie would have been paradise for Nickie. She was passionate about exercising and working out and spent her Sundays cheering for her beloved Denver Broncos, who she enthusiastically supported in their three Super Bowl wins, one of which fell on her 16th birthday. What a great celebration that was!

She is survived by her loving husband, Marc Burke; her children: Destanie, Faith, Gamble, and Chace Burke; her mother, Lori (Royce) Pindell; her siblings: Frannie (Jesse) Masters, Jamie (Nathan) Waggoner, Jennifer (Tim) Koger, and Joe (Sarah) Fatuch; her nieces and nephews: Bastian Koger, Jordan Koger, Emery Waggoner, Fallon Waggoner, Tavyn Waggoner, Zyler Waggoner, Kairi Fatuch, and Theodore Fatuch; her grandmother, Janet K. Vance; her stepsiblings: Corrie (Adam) Kern, Byron (Erin) Pindell, Kyle (Stephanie) Pindell, Daryn Pindell, and Robyn Pindell; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her baby son, Chance Joseph Burke; her uncles, James “Jimmy” Vance and Dan Bourgeois; and her grandparents, Charles H. “Bud” and Eleanora C. Barger.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Mountain View Fellowship, 1955 Headlight Road, Strasburg, Colorado 80136. In honor of Nickie’s favorite color, attendees are invited to wear yellow if they would like. A reception will follow the service at the same location.

In loving memory of Nickie and in order to ensure her four children have what they need, now and in the future, a fund has been set up at High Plains Bank. Nickie was contributing to her household income but, unfortunately, did not have any life insurance. Donations can be made in-person at High Plains Bank, by calling 800.984.0010 or by mailing a check payable to Nicole Fatuch/Burke Memorial c/o Lori Pindell to:

High Plains Bank – Bennett Branch

Nicole Fatuch/Burke Memorial c/o Lori Pindell

235 Ash Street

Bennett, Colorado 80102

Alternatively, a Go Fund Me has been set up to accept donations as well: https://gofund.me/091fcbb0. Thank you in advance for helping if you can!