November 4, 1940 – August 10, 2026
At the break of dawn on Monday, Aug. 10, our beloved Celia Nieslanik passed at her home in Carbondale, Colorado with family by her side.
On the first Monday of November in 1940, Edith and Oliver Letey welcomed Celia Rose at the Glenwood Springs Sanitarium. Celia and her sisters were raised initially in Emma on the family farm, as the Letey family originally emigrated from the Aosta Valley in the Italian Alps to work in the silver mines of Aspen, later farming in the midvalley. In 1947, after Oliver sold the farm, Celia’s family moved to Carbondale.
Upon graduating from Carbondale Union High School in 1958, Celia worked at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs.
On June 17, 1967, Celia married the love of her life, Paul Nieslanik, at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Glenwood. Together they welcomed five children: Tim, Tami, Kim, Karen and Ted. They raised them next to their dairy in Carbondale. In 1986, Stacey Patch joined their family.
A lifelong cultivator, Celia grew and supported everything in her life, helping Paul with the ranch, growing a huge vegetable garden annually, having a phenomenal yard with beautiful flower beds, seeing through lifelong friendships and, of course, raising her children. Longer summer days meant time in the garden, coffee chats, pickles, canning and feeding the crew during branding, haying and everything in between. In later years, being on their trailer at the Thursday night rodeos and trips to the diner were weekly highlights.
Celia and Paul thoroughly enjoyed cheering their children and grandchildren on in their many sporting events. Rarely did Celia miss a game, match or race. Even when family was on opposing sides, Celia still showed up and supported them all, whether they were Rams, Demons, Spartans, Mountaineers, Mavericks, Pioneers or Team USA. When she returned home under hospice care, she made sure that her Detroit Tigers were on when they had a game.
Never daunted by challenging seasons of her life, Celia’s resilience was extraordinary. She was faced with tremendous loss, overcame cancer multiple times and persevered through several health issues. Celia met every challenge and showed all of us what could be accomplished through strength, determination and her steadfast Catholic faith.
Celia’s family was by far her proudest accomplishment. By her example, she taught all of us to keep growing, help each other and have some fun along the way. Celia showed us what being human meant and how to live a purposeful life. She always had room at her table for everyone, sometimes offering a side helping of tough love when needed. Celia and Paul’s quiet generosity benefitted all aspects of Carbondale. Notably, Celia was an ardent contributor of St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Sylvia and Cecile, dear family and friends and, of course, her soulmate Paul.
Celia is survived by her 5 ½ children, Tim Nieslanik, Tami (Chris) Broadhurst, Kim (Colt) Cornelius, Karen (Jesse) Crownhart, Ted (Tammy) Nieslanik, Stacey (Mike) Bernot, 13 grandchildren, Shea, Tanner (Luise) and Lily Nieslanik, Andrew and Emily Broadhurst, Cooper and Ally Cornelius, Letey, Carley and Erica Crownhart, Emmit Nieslanik, Hayden and Kendall Bernot, great grandson Noah Nieslanik, sister Alice (Wince) Bershenyi, brother-in-laws Ray (Elaine) Nieslanik, Jim Nieslanik, sister-in-law Frances Mattivi and numerous cherished extended family.
Foremost in her life was her Catholic faith, and right alongside it was Celia’s devotion to her family. Celia taught us all a myriad of lessons. Although she’s no longer here to nudge us in person, we can see those reminders reflecting back to us in her children and grandchildren. Rest easy, Celia, for everything you have tended in this life has borne tremendous fruit.
Please join our family in celebrating Celia on Aug. 24. Rosary takes place at 10am and funeral mass at 11am at St. Mary of the Crown Catholic Church, 397 White Hill Road, Carbondale, Colorado. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery (White Hill), followed by a reception.