John Serwe Obituary

On July 23, 2025, our beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, John Serwe, left this world unexpectedly and without fanfare. Born in Stratford, Wisconsin, to John and Joyce Serwe, John was the sixth of twelve siblings on the family dairy farm. Life on the farm is where he learned hard work, responsibility, perseverance-and how to build or fix just about anything.

In 1981, John and his friend Dave set out on a life-changing adventure to visit his aunt and uncle at the Jenkins Ranch in Durango, Colorado. For two young farm boys from the Midwest, the mountains were a world apart-and it didn't take long for John to fall in love with them. He started working on the excavation for Hillcrest Estates, which marked the beginning of a lifelong career in excavation throughout Southwest Colorado. In 1992, he launched Serwe Excavation, leaving his mark on countless homes, roads, subdivisions, ponds, rock walls, and stunning landscapes across the region. John's skill with heavy machinery was unmatched, and his dedication to quality work was evident. His work ethic and calm, steady presence made him a respected colleague and friend to many.

John married Chris in 1992, and together they built a life rooted in love, faith, family, and shared dreams. They raised two children-Natalie and Mitchell-and spent over three decades nurturing a strong foundation for their family. John and Chris worked hard in their respective fields-construction and real estate-and were looking forward to retirement together, a chapter that was sadly cut short. John passed due to an enlarged heart-a poignant reminder of just how big his heart truly was. He was always there to lend a helping hand and make people laugh with his light-hearted spirit.

A true outdoorsman, John loved camping, hunting, fishing, motorcycling, and snowmobiling throughout the Colorado mountains. In recent years, he enjoyed restoring vintage snowmobiles and spending time at the family cabin. Whether gathered around a card table, riding the backroads, or enjoying the solitude of the mountains, John enjoyed life to the fullest.

John is survived by his loving wife Chris Serwe, daughter Natalie Serwe (fiancé James Somsen), son Mitchell Serwe, brothers Bart, Joe, Matthew, and Pierre Serwe, sisters Mary Felten, Luann Geldernick, Cheairee Schwanabeck, Alice Serwe, Rose Weigel, Helen Syzmanski, and Barbara Karlen; father-in-law Carl Dewey, sisters-in-law Stacy Clark (Kaan) and Wendy Cottingham (Dale), and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews in Southwest Colorado, Wisconsin and Florida.

John is deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him-for his integrity, humor, kindness, and adventurous spirit.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Summit Church, 2917 Aspen Drive, Durango, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider honoring John's memory through an act of kindness or by helping someone in need-just as he so often did.