Mrs. Vernon (Cleo) Colson, 97, long time Green Bay area resident, passed to her
eternal reward on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012.
She was born May 16, 1914, in the town of Maple Valley, Wis., to Fred and Hazel
(Peters) Longard. On Oct. 27, 1931, Cleo was united in marriage to Vernon B.
Colson in Hickory Corners. They enjoyed more than 71 years of marriage. He
preceded her in death on July 2, 2003.
Cleo was an active member of The First Church of Christ in Hickory Corners and
later at First Christian Church in Green Bay, where she was active with the
Ladies' Circle. She later became a member of Life Bridge Church in Howard. Cleo
was devoted to her family and took great pride in her children, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed rides in the country, playing cards, flower
gardening and having her family around her. Cleo always made everyone feel
welcome and always had content joy about her.
She is survived by seven children and their spouses, Loretta Thario, Wausau;
Norm and Barb Colson, Appleton; Mary and Edgar Rakow, Suring; Curtis and Mary
Colson, Denver, Colo.; Bruce and Neide Colson, Brasilia, Brazil; Janette Colson,
Milwaukee; Bonnie and Larry Johnson, Suring; a son-in-law, Norman Slatky,
Appleton; 25 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren; four
great-great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, George Lartz; many nieces, nephews
and other relatives and friends.
Cleo was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; her parents; a daughter,
Donna Slatky; a sister, Edna Lartz; a son-in-law, Joe Thario.
Friends may call at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 4 to 8 p.m.
Friday. Friends may also call at Life Bridge Church, 2496 Glendale Ave., Howard,
from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday. The Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m.
Saturday at the church with the Rev. Mike Tappa officiating. Burial will be in
Evergreen Cemetery, Oconto.
Cleo's family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Sharpe Care Nursing
Center in Oconto Falls and the staff of Unity Hospice for their wonderful care
of Cleo and her family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Unity
Hospice.
To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.