Nora Lou Bumsted

It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Nora Lou Bumsted, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, on July 27, 2025, in Thornton, Colorado. Nora was 83 years old.

A native of Council Grove, Kansas, Nora graduated from Council Grove High School in 1960, where she was honored as Queen of Courts. She went on to earn her degree from Kansas State Teachers College in 1964 and returned to Council Grove to teach 3rd and 4th grades at Washington Grade School from 1964 to 1966.

In May 1963, she married the love of her life, Keith Bumsted, in the local Congregational Church. After a brief stay in Emporia, Kansas, the couple relocated to Boulder, Colorado, in 1966, where Keith completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Colorado while working as the Business Manager for the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study. During these years, Nora and Keith welcomed their two daughters: Kelly (born on Valentine’s Day 1967) and Tracy (born on Easter Sunday 1970).

Nora embraced her role as a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker throughout her 62 years of marriage. In 1978, the family moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, where Keith served as Treasurer, CFO, and Administrative Director of the National Center for State Courts. While in Williamsburg, Nora was a substitute teacher at Queens Lake School and a trusted sponsor and volunteer for the high school field hockey teams her daughters played on. Deeply dedicated to her daughters, she attended countless band concerts, tennis matches, and swim meets, and was known for preparing her famous spaghetti meat sauce and brownie sheet cake for high school spaghetti dinner fundraisers supporting their activities. Nora enjoyed sewing and proudly made many Halloween costumes and outfits for her daughters when they were young. She also gave generously of her time as a volunteer and board member for Child Development Resources, an organization providing services to at-risk children with disabilities and other challenges in the community.

From 1989 to 1995, the family returned to Boulder, Colorado, where Keith and Kelly founded Resource Management Laboratories, a firm specializing in financial services for businesses and court systems across the country. In 1995, Keith and Nora moved to Boise, Idaho, where Keith worked as Deputy Director of the Idaho Transportation Department until his retirement in 2001. During their 30 years in Boise, Nora was an active volunteer, a member of the Boise Welcome Club, and a proud participant in a breast cancer survivor group, where she built many lifelong friendships.

In April 2025, Nora and Keith moved back to Colorado to be closer to their extended family. Unfortunately, Nora suffered a fall on June 2, fracturing her left hip. While she was recovering and regaining her mobility, she experienced another fall on July 21, fracturing her right hip. Despite the best efforts of a dedicated medical team, Nora passed away peacefully on July 27.

Throughout her life, Nora touched the hearts of everyone she met. She was an avid reader who loved playing games and spending time with her family and friends. Known affectionately as “Nana,” she delighted her grandchildren with her warmth, humor, and playful spirit—earning the nickname “Sassy Nana.” She also loved to travel, visiting Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Arizona, California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Oregon, Hawaii and Utah.

Nora is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Keith; two daughters, Kelly (Jeff) of Denver, Colorado and Tracy (Mike) of Beaverton, Oregon; three grandchildren, Kaitlyn Funk (Keith), Rachel Reeser Walker (Zach) of Denver, and Kira Zulauf of Vancouver, British Columbia; and one great-grandson, Jack Funk. Nora was adored by all who knew her and will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Child Development Resources in Williamsburg, Virginia, an organization that was near and dear to Nora’s heart.