Wilbur Allen Aanes died Monday, November 21, 2016 at his home. Wil was born October 10, 1927, in Oak Creek, CO, to Hans Gustave and Mary Alice Aanes. He was 89 years old. On December 29, 1951, he married Barbara Shouse in Fort Collins. They were married for fifty four years.

He graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1944. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from CSU in 1950 and joined the CSU College of Veterinary Medicine here in Fort Collins in 1951. He earned a Master's Degree in Animal Science in 1959.

In 1965 Wil, accompanied by his family, moved to Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, where he joined the teaching staff at the University of East Africa as part of a USAID project. While there, he and his family traveled throughout East Africa and had many memorable experiences. He and his family returned to Fort Collins in 1967. He remained with CSU and retired in 1988.

His passions in life were his family, his friends, and tending the small farm where he was raised and continued to live for all of his life. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed being outdoors during the fall which was his favorite time of year. He enjoyed cheering for the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies. His golden retrievers were beloved companions.

Survivors include two sons, Dr. Stuart Aanes (Susan) of Aurora, and Dale Aanes of Fort Collins; sister, Beth Joyner of Norfolk, VA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, in 2005; his parents; older brother, Edward, who was killed in a B-29 crash in 1951; older sister, Mary; infant twin sons; and daughters, Peggy and Susie.

At Wil's request there will be no funeral service. Private interment will be at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Larimer County Humane Society or Pathways Hospice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.

Published in The Coloradoan from Nov. 23 to Nov. 27, 2016