Colleen Houser
Colleen Marie (Collins) Houser, 76, of Westerville, OH, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Saturday, April 29, 2017. Visitation is Friday, May 5 from 4-7 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Church, located at 6077 Sharon Woods Boulevard in Columbus, OH. Funeral mass is Saturday, May 6 at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Colleen’s memory be made to the University Women’s Club of Ohio State scholarship fund at https://www.osuwomensclub.org/scholarships, the fund supported by proceeds from Buckeye Bargains.
Colleen was born October 19, 1940 in Waukon to Beatrice and Kenneth Collins. Colleen is survived by her devoted husband of 49 years, Don; her children: Kelle (Paul) Snyder of San Diego, CA, Kerri (Steve) Williamson of St. Louis, MO and Joshua (Anne) Houser of Upper Arlington, OH; eight grandchildren: Stephanie, Ryan and Justin Snyder, Connor, Molly and Tyler Williamson, and Emerson and Brooks Houser; her sisters, Mary Jo (Jim) Hopfensperger of Omaha, NE, Marge Collins of Eyota, MN and Cathie Logan of Winona, MN; her brother, William (Ella Mae) Collins of Merrimac, WI; her brother-in-law, Larry (Ginny) Houser of Westminster, MD; her cousins and many friends.
Colleen attended a country school near Waukon and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Waukon. She received her bachelor’s degree from Clarke College in Dubuque and earned a Master’s degree from The Ohio State University. She taught middle school in Iowa, Wisconsin and Upper Arlington, OH, preschool in Columbus, OH and continued to educate families while working as a mental health counselor at Children’s Hospital Guidance Center in Columbus, OH.
Colleen was an ever-loving and supportive wife and mother. Colleen and Don showed their deep love for one another throughout their lives, and Don was a steadfast caregiver during Colleen’s illness. Her children are extremely thankful for the loving and unselfish care that she has provided them through their growing years. She was an extremely proud grandmother who loved sharing in her grandchildren’s academic and sporting activities.
She loved to travel with Don, having been to 49 states and 25 countries. Colleen was passionate about Ohio State basketball, Buckeye Bargains and in making peanut butter Buckeyes. As a long–standing parishioner of St. Elizabeth Church, she loved serving that community in many volunteer roles. Colleen was an avid book reader throughout her life, having been a concurrent member of three book clubs.
Arrangements were handled by Egan-Ryan Funeral Home Northwest Chapel in Columbus, OH. Visit www.egan-ryan.com to offer condolences.
