Colleen M. Montagne

Colleen M. Montagne, 86, of Sioux City passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at a Sioux City Hospital. A mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Cathedral of the Epiphany with Father Michael Cronin officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 4-8 p.m. with family present from 6-8 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. and a time of sharing to follow on Friday at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com

Colleen Mildred Newgaard was born on August 25, 1929, on a farm two miles north of McCallsburg, Iowa.  The daughter of Elmer and Gertrude Bjelde Newgaard.   She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church.   She was raised in a Norwegian family, where the parents spoke Norwegian.

She attended grade school at the McCallsburg School and in May 1945 she graduated from Radcliffe High School.  Colleen collected Scotti dogs (pins, pictures) as President Roosevelt had a Scotti dog.  During World War II, Colleen collected scrap metal for the war effort and followed the American advances on a large Europe map that the family had on their wall.

After graduation, Colleen took a bus to Sioux City, and lived with her sister Erma.   Colleen had gotten an office job, and her sister was so happy that she had a desk job.   Colleen found out the factory paid twice as much, so Colleen quit her office job and went to Wincharger Radio Corporation.  

Colleen always enjoyed dancing, going to the movies, and pleasant strolls.  

Colleen married Jerome Francis Montagne on September 30. 1950 at St. Jean’s LaBaptiste Catholic Church in Sioux City.  After she was married, she converted to Catholicism and in her later years attended daily mass.

The couple had seven children Madeline “Molly” (Dennis) Fowler of Sioux City; Barbara (Leland) Chilson of Seneca, KS; Denise Droullard of Knoxville, TN; Shelley Welch-Leason of Okala, FL; Jerome P. (Janice) Montagne of McPherson, KS; Carol Louise Bertrand of Liberty, MO; and John F. Montagne of Sioux City.    

Jerry and Colleen enjoyed their family, playing kickball, taking family vacations to California, and Canada, and many camping trips around the U.S. and playing family games.

Colleen worked in dietary in St. Joseph Hospital and for the Sioux City Public Schools in the Dietary Department.   She also babysat and enjoyed working with children.  She was an active member in the Moose Club, Siouxland Dance Club, and enjoyed her own breakfast clubs.        

In 2000 Colleen and Jerry celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  Jerry passed away in May 2003.

Colleen continued to work and enjoy her family, and found a dear friend in Gene Geary. She had many friends that she would meet with for coffee time or antique browsing.

Colleen died on March 15, 2016 in a Sioux City hospital, surrounded by loved ones.  Visitation at Meyers Funeral Home will be on Friday, March 18th, 4 pm to 8 pm.   A Roman Catholic mass and burial will be held on Saturday, March 19th, at 10:30, followed by a reception.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters, Erma Percival and Elva Reisetter, two grandchildren, Dylan Hynek and Bethany Bertrand and a great grandson, Jonah Brocksmith. 

Colleen is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and dear friend, Gene Geary.