Colleen Wilson

Colleen Ann (Weiser) Wilson, 94, of Walker, Minnesota, passed away on October 24, 2026, in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota with her daughter and granddaughter Cara by her side.

Colleen was born on October 10, 1932, in LaMoure, North Dakota, to Wayne Willard Weiser and Hazel Hortense (Beeson) Weiser. She graduated from Madison High School in Minnesota, then moved to Mankato with her parents, where she worked as a telephone operator.

On a blind date arranged by her sister Patsy and brother-in-law Newt in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Colleen met her future husband, Rufus. After exchanging numerous letters, Rufus moved to Mankato to complete his undergraduate and master’s degrees, and the romance continued. According to Rufus, she only dated him for his shiny shoes! They married in 1956 and soon began their family.

After living in Brewster, Minnesota; Fargo, North Dakota; and St. Cloud, Minnesota, they moved to their beautiful lake home in Walker in 1976. Colleen quickly learned she enjoyed watching hummingbirds, enjoying the lake view, and relaxing on the deck.

Colleen worked as an elementary educational paraprofessional at Garfield and Washington Elementary Schools in St. Cloud and later in the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley school district. With phonics cards in her pocket and a whistle around her neck, she helped countless students learn to read and guided their lunch and recess.

With a smile on her face, a spring in her step, and a little giggle escaping, she brought warmth and joy to those around her. She loved her children beyond measure, but her grandchildren were the lights of her life.

Colleen loved reminiscing about her childhood in Madison, Minnesota, and visiting the family farm in Hazelton, North Dakota. She enjoyed camping trips and vacations to Mexico, Italy, Hawaii, and Florida, but her favorite times were spent at family reunions on the farm, where she could see extended family and catch up on “the good ol’ days.”

Colleen’s love of life showed in the little things, too. The first movie she ever saw on the big screen was The Wizard of Oz, and she loved the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” She loved her flowers and the annual Mother’s Day trip to the nursery with her children to get her gardens ready for summer. She also loved the holidays, especially Christmas, when she filled stockings with goodies, wrapped countless gifts, and made her “famous” caramels.

Colleen is survived by her children, Lori (Gary) Schlagheck of St. Cloud, Steve (Joan) Wilson of Eden Prairie, and Stewart (Beth) Wilson of Florida; seven grandchildren, Jake and Cara Schlagheck, Beth (Oskar), Becky, and Ben Wilson, and Evan (Izzy) and Jonas (Samantha); three great-grandchildren, Delaney, Benson, and Jaycee; her sister, Roberta (Weiser) Etherington of New Hope; her brother-in-law, Newton Moen of Mankato; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her Husband, Rufus; her parents; her parents-in-law, John and Ethel Wilson; her siblings, Patsy (Weiser) Moen and Kenneth Weiser; her brother-in-law, Ralph Etherington; her niece, Tracy Jo Weiser; and her in-laws, Albert and Ruth, Lena Mae, Helen, Francis, and Anne.

Funeral and burial services will be held at a later date. Burial will take place at the Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley near Little Falls.

The family extends its gratitude to the compassionate staff at Good Shepherd Cottages, Memory Lane, and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care Colleen received over the last four years.

Memorials can be made to: Good Shepherd Community, C/O Foundation, 1115 4th Ave. North, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379.