Colleen Marie (Collins) Houser, 76, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Saturday, April 29, 2017.  She was born October 19, 1940 in Waukon, Iowa to Beatrice and Kenneth Collins.  Colleen is survived by her devoted husband of 49 years, Don, children Kelle (Paul) Snyder, San Diego, CA, Kerri (Steve) Williamson, St. Louis, MO, and Joshua (Anne) Houser, Upper Arlington, OH, eight grandchildren (Stephanie, Ryan, and Justin Snyder; Connor, Molly, and Tyler Williamson; and Emerson and Brooks Houser), sisters Mary Jo (Jim) Hopfensperger Omaha, NE, Marge Collins, Eyota, MN, Cathie Logan, Winona, MN, brother, William (Ella Mae) Collins, Merrimac, WI, brother-in-law Larry (Ginny) Houser of Westminster, MD, 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, Dubuque, Iowa 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. 

Visitation is Friday, May 5, 2017 from 4-7pm at St. Elizabeth Church, 6077 Sharon Woods Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio 43229.  The Funeral Mass is Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 10am 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.

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