Nellie Schmutz

She was born to the late Richard and Jessie Bird, June 20, 1934, in Auckland, New Zealand. Nellie attended school in Auckland and met Fritz Schmutz while they were both working at Mt. Ruapehu, N.Z. Ski Club. They were married in Auckland on January 10, 1956 and lived together in New Zealand and Flims, Switzerland, before relocating to Boulder, Colorado in 1967.

Nellie was a homemaker who enjoyed knitting, traveling, attending social and cultural events, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved animals and owned cats and dogs for most of her life, and, more recently, horses. She was especially proud of her horse, Olivia, who won numerous championships and was named Horse of the Year and Hunter of the Year by the Colorado Hunter-Jumper Association in 2011 and 2012.

Nellie was an active supporter of the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center for over 30 years and a member of the Colorado Hunter-Jumper Association and United States Equestrian Federation.

Nellie is survived by her husband Fritz Schmutz and four sons: Karl Schmutz (Judy), of Prescott, AZ; Michel Schmutz (Heidi), of Longmont, CO; Peter Schmutz, of Niwot, CO, and Roger Schmutz of Longmont, CO. She also is survived by four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center.

A celebration of her life will be held from 12:00-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4th at 7615 Estate Circle, Niwot.