Shane Kerstiens

Our dad, Shane Michael Kerstiens was born on May 11, 1963. He was a Mother’s Day present for his mom Loretta Mae Kerstiens and the only son of James Donald Kerstiens. Dad’s big beautiful family included his five doting sisters, Lynette, Renee, Stacy, Cory and Shannon who adore him, spoiled him and loved him.

Dad grew up in a Lakewood neighborhood filled with long summer days, friends, little league, Harlan park, Villa Italia and Cow Palace. Dad excelled at all sports but loved the true grit of football. He graduated from Alameda Sr. High School where he was from a long family line of Pirates! It was during high school where he met his future wife Julia Malone.

Dad entered the workforce at 18 hiring on with the former Public Service Co. of Colorado, now Excel Energy. He completed his pipe fitting apprenticeship and worked proudly as a fitter, foreman on the trouble truck and he finished his 39 year career as a dispatcher. During this time he made lifelong friendships. He made a lot of people smile and a few people angry. His dedication to the job is unmatched by any and he would let you know.

Dad lived and loved a lot but truly his greatest joy in life were his children, Charlie Brehm, Cassidy Jones, Morgan Nelson and Chance Kerstiens.  Dad had a lot of love in his heart and cherished the years he was a stepfather to Mandy, Melanie, and Taira Peterson and Quaid Negrey. As a grandpa he was larger than life to Rocky, Rush and Royal Ortiz, Donna, Jett and Mack Jones, June Stafford, John Brehm, and Elara Driscoll. The little ones who have not yet been born will know him through his legacy and the memories that will be passed on for years to come.

Dad gave his time and knowledge coaching our little league teams. He built lasting relationships with the players, taught us all to be tough and the skills we needed to succeed. He later spent years as a little league football coach for the Green Mountain Rams. He enjoyed following their individual football careers and watching their lives unfold. He was very proud while sharing stories of the Rams Carnation Bowl victories.

Dad was a cowboy at heart. He developed a love for the cowboy way by spending time at his Uncle Toots and Aunt Carole’s arena in Indian Hills. He later bought property in Bennett, Colorado and built his own arena where he was a 4-H leader teaching all the kids about raising market hogs and steers. Dad also bought a big red gelding named Cash and hauled him to Butch Myers bulldogging school in Texas where he began a new passion. Together they went on to compete at many rodeos in bulldogging and team roping. We also loved to watch him compete in another kind of “rodeo”.  For several years he competed in the Gas Hog Rodeo. His team from Excel Energy, the Nipple Twisters, set records at the National Championship Level. This team of experienced fitters “whooped ass” on all those young bucks.

Dad and his former wife Bonnie Douglass shared The Little BS Farm in Ft. Lupton. It was the infamous site where they held epic summer pig roasts. Dad welded his own pig roaster and was an excellent chef! He loved life on the farm raising pigs, goats, horses, chickens, dogs and a brief stint in milk cows.

Dad had numerous interests and talents and lived his life loud. Always outdoors, he was an avid hunter and especially loved to pack in and bow hunt. This is a passion he loved to share with family and friends.  A camping trip to the lake was never a dull moment with dad and grandpa. They would whip us and our cousins off a tube on grandpa’s old boat until the tank was on E.

His most recent adventures included ocean fishing and warm sandy beaches. He purchased a Florida vacation home and enjoyed spending as much time as he could there. He could make a friend anywhere.  He would walk on a pier and in no time find another fisherman to swap tips and share stories.

He loved us fearlessly and supported us in all of our endeavors. He had a generous heart and was willing to help anyone in any way he could. He lived life unfiltered. He is large and loud and loved. His story telling and laugh will never be forgotten. Our hearts ache only for the time we wish we had more of. We are all grateful and thankful to have an amazing father.

“Love ya”