Louise Gregory

Louise Nadine Gregory, 81 years of age, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 29, 2024, at NewAldaya Lifescapes in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

 Louise was born December 22, 1942, in Waterloo, IA to the late Clifford and Evelyn (Speer) Gregory. She was the second of 4 children; one brother, Paul, one sister-in-law, Solveig Gregory and one brother-in-law, Jerry Speakar preceded her in death.

 Louise was educated in the Dike, IA Community Schools and graduated in 1960, confirmed at Dike First United Methodist Church in 1955, attended Iowa Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant, IA, for 1 year  where she played basketball (prior to female sports ending), then went on to attend University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA, graduating with a Junior High Education Degree with a Specialty in English in 1964. She then taught at Miller Junior High in Marshalltown, IA while commuting during her summers to Colorado State University to acquire her master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling and her love for Fort Collins, CO began. She graduated with her master’s degree in 1968 from CSU and continued as an English Teacher and a Guidance Counselor in Marshalltown, IA in 1968 & 1969. She was certified, and granted an Active Member for Life, in the National Education Association. In 1970 Louise moved to Fort Collins and set down roots to where she would call home for the next 51 years. Louise began as a Guidance Counselor and coached basketball and softball at Blevins Junior High. Louise enjoyed, and was always striving to better herself as well as others, sharing her high level of excellence as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Fort Collins High School, where they won the State title in 1983.  Louise never lost sight of her hometown and organized the Dike Community High School reunions of her class for years. She continued coaching softball and basketball at the junior high level, as well as keeping score and officiating in all sports at several junior highs and high schools throughout the Colorado Northern Region until she retired.

 Louise began traveling internationally with her mom when she turned 16 years of age and ended her travels at the age of 75 with her 50th state, Alaska, in August of 2017.  Louise traveled to all 7 continents as well as internationally since 1970.  Louise shared her love of travel and initiated multiple travel experiences with her friends, nieces and nephews.

Louise loved to read, attend and volunteer at the First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins, spend time with friends, visit her time share condo in Frisco, CO from 2012 - 2021, golf every summer and every month until 2015 (sometimes during her international travels), attend every CSU home football game since 1975 (never missed), attend every CSU women’s basketball home game (exception in 1994 when her mom was sick), post and tournament games.  Louise was a member of the Ram Club to assure that collegiate women athletes were supported. Louise was the Women in Sports Lead – granting young female athletes of all ages $100 scholarships for local athletes from 2000-2010. After Louise retired, she never allowed any grass to grow under her feet and began volunteer work in 1999 until 2017.

 Louise was well known for her sense of humor, her kindness, her intelligence, her work ethic, her mom’s famous banana bread (by CSU, Air Force Academy and University of Southern Carolina athletes), coffee cakes at Christmas time to all of her friends, high level of excellence in everything she did, and in her own words, she “just loves giving” to everyone she comes in contact with.  As a ramification (CSU Rams) Louise was well known and respected as “Gregory” in Fort Collins to young and old. Her memory will live on forever as the Blevins Junior High Softball Field was dedicated to her in 1998. Louise even prided herself on giving school supplies, stuffed animals, and funds to young people on her travels to international destinations.

 Louise leaves a legacy that will live on forever with the “Just Loves Giving” mentality. Louise gave of herself, her time and her talents not only in Iowa and Colorado but all over the world.

 Louise is survived by her brother Larry (Jeanne) Gregory, sister Jean Speakar; nieces Karen (Eric) Dowell and Kirsten (Todd) Kelly; nephews Andrew Speakar and Chad (Kelley) Speakar;  great nephews Mitchell (Rhea) Dowell and Connor Kelly; great nieces Kayla (Zach) Butters, Maren Kelly (Clarence Gomez), Alex Speakar, and Bri Speakar.  Family, friends and others whose lives Louise touched are invited to the memorial visitation at The Dike United Methodist Church, 439 Church Street, Dike, IA from 9:30 am until the time of the memorial service at 10:30am on Friday, May 3, 2024, followed by the burial and reception to reminisce, grieve, support each other and, of course, just chat. Abels Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.abelsfuneralhomes.com