A memorial will be held for former CCC maintenance technician Nathan Carl Emmons at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, in the Fireside Lounge of the Colby Community College Student Union.

"Nate," age 44, of Colby, passed away at Hays Medical Center on Feb. 24, 2023. He was born in Colby on Sept. 1, 1978, to Joseph W. Emmons and Marsha (Den) Berens.

After completing grade school and middle school in Colby, he attended high school through his sophomore year in Lawrence. He was a 1997 graduate of Colony High School in Wasilla, Alaska.

In high school, Nathan lettered in football, track, and wrestling. He was an art student, played the saxophone, and competed as a diver in the MOKAN Swim League, qualifying for the Jr. Olympics. He loved to travel, especially in Europe. Quick to make friends, family, and others laugh, Nathan loved to meet people and explore new foods. He enjoyed watching college and professional sports and was passionate about movies of all genres. Hard work was something he embraced, and he was employed mainly in maintenance, construction, and landscaping. For more than seven years, he served as a maintenance technician at Colby Community College. He thoroughly enjoyed meeting and getting to know students; it was something in which he took great delight.

Nathan is survived by his mother, Marsha Berens, of Colby; father and stepmother, Joseph and Trisha Emmons, Taos, N.M.; stepsisters, Erin (Jason) Shaw, Decorah, Iowa; Stephanie Berens, Indianapolis, Ind.; Sarah Berens, Hays, Kan.; stepbrothers, Kevin (Angie) Berens, Colby; David (Shelly) Berens, Stafford, Kan.; Chris (Shannen) Berens, Pratt, Kan.; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Nathan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Perry and Esther Emmons and Ralph and Helen Den; brother, Justin Emmons; stepfather, Gary Berens; and nephew, Joshua Berens.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Nathan Emmons Memorial Scholarship at Colby Community College.