COLLEEN RUTH SPEER (THIESSEN)

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COLLEEN RUTH SPEER (nee THIESSEN) It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Colleen Ruth Speer on Friday, November 25, 2011. Her Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, December 10, 2011. A full obituary with picture and further details will appear in the Saturday, December 3 issue of this paper.

COLLEEN RUTH SPEER Colleen Ruth Speer (née Thiessen), 58, went to be with the Lord, November 25, 2011, after a long, valiant struggle with cancer. Colleen is mourned by husband Darryl, parents Neil and Ellen Thiessen, brother Greg (Laurie Ann), sister Linda, niece Stephanie, nephew Paul (Janice, Keagan, Amara) and Speer in-laws: Cliff, Jane, Murray (Francis), Sarah, John (Usha), Sharon (John), nieces, nephews, and countless friends. Colleen was born August 15, 1953 and raised in Winnipeg. She graduated from Grant Park High School and the University of Manitoba teacher training. She taught one year prior to her marriage to Darryl in 1974. They were transferred to Calgary in 1979 for Darryl's work. They returned to Manitoba in 2002 to care for Darryl's mother, Kae, who was suffering from Alzheimer's, until her passing in February 2011. Colleen was very active in her church: teaching Sunday School, conducting kid's club and leading ladies ministries. Colleen was a selfless caregiver to many families in crisis; always available, encouraging, generous and forgiving. Colleen was an excellent cook, hostess and tireless organizer of family celebrations. She enjoyed travels across Canada, into the USA and internationally to New Zealand, the Caribbean, England and Austria. She was an enthusiastic player of table games and Wheel of Fortune' was a television favourite. Colleen had a strong inner beauty that reflected her love for God and everyone; she will be sorely missed. Our special thanks to those who went the extra mile in caring for Colleen at St. Boniface CancerCare, St. Boniface Hospital and Riverview Health Centre. Her Celebration of Life service will be held 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 10, 2011 at Prairie Rose E.M.C. Church in Landmark (on Hwy. 210, one half mile west of Hwy. 206). A private interment will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in memory of Colleen may be made to: Global Outreach Mission, P.O. Box 1210, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7A7 (Designate to Sarah Speer's Leprosy Project). Arrangements by Wheeler Funeral Chapel, 211 Regent Ave. W., Winnipeg, call 204-224-1525.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2011