Colleen Malone

MOHALL - Colleen Malone, 70, Mohall, died peacefully after a short illness at Trinity Hospital, Minot, on Jan. 13, 2015. A funeral mass followed by interment will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Linton, with the Rev. David Richter officiating.

Colleen was born Dec. 13, 1944 in Linton and was a healthy, happy and very bright little girl. Tragedy struck when she was two years old and she contracted measles. The disease, which included a prolonged high fever, caused serious brain damage and Colleen bore the cross of her handicap for the remainder of her life. Pat and Josephine were advised to institutionalize Colleen but they refused to do so. With profound love and dogged determination, the family and friends helped Colleen relearn even the most basic activities of daily living. Colleen was eventually able to relearn speech and through perseverance, graduated from 8th grade at St. Anthony's Catholic School in Linton.

Colleen was a very warm and loving person to everyone she met. She loved family functions with fellowship, food, and card games. Colleen, an avid card player, was elated upon winning a 50 cent pot. Colleen loved to fish and a enjoyed sitting on a stool on the river bank with family and friends, waiting for the next lunker to strike. She dearly loved her family and was most happy when she was able to hold, rock, and sing to a newborn baby. She enjoyed babysitting for immediate friends and neighbors and helping with chores. She appreciated a hot cup of coffee whenever it was available. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to play a joke or to be involved in humorous banter and kidding.

There is no doubt that Colleen was a child of God, her faith and love of the Lord never once wavered. Colleen would lead prayers with the children of the family when it was bedtime and always attended mass with the family. Upon the death of her mother, Colleen moved to the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Mohall. She dearly loved her home in Mohall as well as the staff that provided immense love and wonderful care for her.

Colleen is survived by one brother, James (Judy) Malone; two nieces and four nephews; and many relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Pat and Josephine Malone; one sister, Mary Jane (Malone) Klabo; and many wonderful relatives and friends. (Myers Funeral Home, Linton)