Colleen Guenther

Wednesday, December 8, 2021 1:39 pm

Colleen Guenther, 83 gracefully passed away surrounded by her loving family on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 at Maple Crest Memory Lane in Fayette, near her home of West Union, after battling with dementia and memory loss for the past few years.

Colleen Ann Baumler was born Oct. 3, 1938 at her home farm, east of Saint Lucas, Iowa. She was one of ten children born to parents, Carl Andrew Baumler and Mathilda Elizabeth Scholbrock.She graduated from high school at Saint Luke’s Catholic School in Saint Lucas. Colleen met her husband Gerald while working at Northwestern Bell Telephone. They were married on Aug. 9, 1958. The couple moved to Waukon for a few years and Colleen worked at the local bank. In 1966 they adopted their first child, Jeffery, and in 1972 they adopted their second child, Jennifer. Colleen and Jerry moved back to West Union where Colleen owned and operated a Montgomery Ward catalog distribution. She ended her career and assisted Jerry with the bookkeeping for his pest control business.

Colleen spent free time volunteering at church and the hospital. Over the years she donated a total of twelve gallons of blood and she enjoyed weekly bridge night with her fellow card playing ladies. She loved traveling with her sister and spending time with her granddaughters.

Colleen is survived by her son, Jeffery; two granddaughters, Cori and Alannah;four great grandchildren; two sisters, Luanne and Norma and many nieces and nephews. She is proceeded by husband Gerald, daughter Jennifer, grandchild, parents, brothers Reynold, Donald, Melvin, Curil, Cornelius, Gerald, and Irenus.

Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West Union. There will also be a one hour visitation before Mass at the church on Thursday. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021 at Holy Name Catholic Church in West Union, Iowa with Rev. Don Komboh as the celebrant.Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in West Union. Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West Union is assisting the family with arrangements.