Colleen E. Vinkemeier, age 73, of Annandale, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at her home knowing she was deeply loved.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Annandale with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. Rev. Alex Becker will officiate.
Private family burial will be held at Nordlund Lutheran Cemetery, near Paynesville.
Colleen Edna Olson was born on Sept. 16, 1951, in Willmar, Minnesota to Murlin and Edna (Borgstrom) Olson. She grew up in Paynesville, alongside her two siblings. She was a 1969 graduate of Paynesville High School. She continued her education at Alexandria VoTech. She entered the workforce as a key punch operator for State Farm Insurance but was in constant search for her career and where she fit. She returned to Paynesville, enlisted in the Army Reserves because she saw an ad in the paper. On a return to the Cities, she worked at the VA where one day she met a man with beautiful eyes, and she knew where she belonged. She fell in love with Gary, his dairy farm, and two beautiful children who needed a mother. Gary and Colleen were married on Sunday, May 9, 1982. She took to farming like a calf in spring pasture. In retirement they moved to Lake John in Annandale. She was a steadfast caregiver to Gary as he faced his diagnosis of MS.
Colleen’s life was characterized by her unwavering love for her family and friends. Her joyous nature was seen in her welcoming smile and conversation with everyone she encountered. She never lost a friend, only added one more chair, one more phone number, and one more experience. She carried on after Gary’s passing, embracing travel with her friend Maggie and others. On yearly trips to the North Shore with her “Ya-Ya Sisters,” she re-arranged the geology of the state by collecting rocks. She loved antiquing and buying clothes. The stock prices of QVC will fall with her passing. Her winters in Florida and Arizona collected more friends. She delighted in her ever-growing family. As a grandma, Colleen made her time with them memorable with her laughter and energy. Throughout this journey her faith deepened. When she faced her own life crisis, Christ was at her side. When she passed at dawn, her favorite time of day, she was handed from loving arms on earth to the loving arms of God. She will embrace heaven like a calf in spring pasture.
She is survived by her children, Jeff (Tina) Vinkemeier of Norwood Young America and Amy (Dave) Halquist of Henderson; grandchildren, Courtney (David) Waller, Carley (Trev) Schroyer, Collin (Olivia), Caleb, Canton, and Cadee Vinkemeier, Morgan, Olivia, and Montgomery Halquist; great-grandchildren, Ellerie, Bentley, Hudson, Noah, and Isla Waller, and Landon and Liam Schroyer; sister, Patty Crawford; in-laws, Martha Olson, Harlan (Nena), Ed (Kathy), and Dean (Pat) Vinkemeier, Kathy (Doug) Ernst, and Steve (Wendy) Schilling; many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Murlin and Edna; husband, Gary; brother, Douglas Olson; and brother-in-law, Gene Vinkemeier.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale.
The obituary, guestbook, video tribute and funeral webcase are online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.