Colleen Lee Molskow 1924-2011

MOLSKOW CONNELL BAKER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 7/6/2011 at 13:51:46

Sioux City Journal
29 March 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Colleen Lee Molskow, 86, of Sioux City died Friday, March 25, 2011, at Regency Square Care Center in South Sioux City.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Kevin Lee officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.

Colleen Lee Molskow was born May 16, 1924, in Sioux City, to Hazel Baker and Ernest Curtis Connell. Colleen was raised in a single parent household. That, coupled with the lingering effects of the Depression, led Colleen to a life of thrift.

At the age of 4, she began piano lessons, which eventually led to organ lessons. She served as organist for several area churches, retiring as an organist for Our Savior's Lutheran Church on her 80th birthday.

Colleen attended Sioux City schools, graduating from East High School in 1942. She worked in the office for Prudential Insurance before joining the City Clerk's office. Eventually, she became clerk of the District Court, winning re-election several times.

She married Alvern E. Molskow on Dec. 20, 1955, eloping to Omaha. Al died Jan. 23, 2010.

After retirement, Colleen and Al spent time traveling. They visited Ireland, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia, as well as many states in America. They also volunteered for a variety of organizations in Sioux City. Colleen guided bus tours of the Sioux City area.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Darlene (Jim) Arthurs of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a brother-in-law, Wayne C. (Betty) Johnson of Sioux City; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; and Florence Tappan, who became her foster mother when Colleen's birth mother moved to Oregon in 1940.