Colleen Rae (Sullivan) EKVALL DENIO

DENIO, EKVALL, DREXLER, SULLIVAN, CAMPBELL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/25/2008 at 09:42:34

Colleen Rae Ekvall DeNio

Beloved wife, mother, sister and friend to many, Colleen Rae DeNio passed away Sunday, January 13, 2008 in Peoria, Arizona, after a long illness. Colleen was born June 2, 1929 in Marshfield, Wisconsin, the daughter of Mary (Drexler) and Ray Sullivan. Her brothers, Don and Tom Sullivan, survive. She was raised in Marshfield and graduated from Columbus High School. Colleen attended St. Joseph School of Nursing until her marriage to Harlon Ekvall in 1949. They raised three children on their dairy farm: Linda (Michael) Campbell, of Portage, Michigan; Randall (Mary) of Leawood, Kansas; and Laurel (Douglas) Werhane of Redmond, Oregon. After her children finished school, Colleen returned to nursing school and graduated at the top of her class. She moved to Sun City, Arizona in 1979 and worked as a recovery room nurse at Boswell Hospital. She married Thurman DeNio, who survives, on January 3, 1987. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with their grandchildren: Jacob, Darren, Dawn, Daniel, Sarah, Rob, Mark, Kevin, Jay and Christopher. Colleen and Thurman spent summers at their cottage on Lake Cornelia near Dows, Iowa, where she made many friends. Colleen spent many hours quilting and visiting with friends from her church in Iowa. Her loving and generous spirit was recognized by all who met her. Colleen was always busy quilting, swimming, scrapbooking, gardening, reading and decorating her home. She took on remodeling projects with confidence and determination. We remember how much she loved a good laugh. Colleen's optimism and cheerful outlook were reflected in her favorite phrase, "Go with the flow." Cremation has taken place. A Memorial service will be held at Freedom Plaza in Peoria, Arizona on Monday, February 11, 2008. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Daily News-Sun, Arizona
January 24, 2008