Carol Marie (Van Straten) Colleran, 82, devoted wife, extraordinary mother, amazing grandmother and great-grandmother, and fun-loving sister peacefully passed away on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, surrounded by her family at the home she loved on White Potato Lake.

Carol was born on March 29, 1943, in Green Bay, WI to the late Lester and Cecilia (Nooyen) Van Straten. Carol and her siblings were raised in Bay Settlement. The quintessential tomboy, Carol loved growing up on the ledge above Green Bay on the small family farm.

On a family camping trip at Twin Bridge Park, 14-year-old Carol met a 17-year-old Eagle Scout, Dennis "Red" Colleran from Morton Grove, IL, thus beginning a love story that lasted the ages. They were married on May 21, 1960, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bay Settlement. Together they raised three children in Green Bay/Howard. Carol and Red instilled in their children faith, honesty, and a strong work ethic.

Carol was an uncommon woman. Both tomboy and classy lady, she was as comfortable bow hunting or cleaning bluegills as she was entertaining important customers helping Red grow his business. Carol and Red welcomed countless family, friends, and customers to their cottage, which eventually became their home. She had the unique ability to make anyone feel like they were members of the family.

Carol cherished living at the lake. She enjoyed lunches at Brad's, dinners at Romy's, and Tuesday "nickel" games with her friends. She loved taking overnight snowmobile trips, "saddle bagging it" with beloved family and friends. She was an avid water-skier, skiing into her 70s. She was skillful in the kitchen and enjoyed sharing her creations with others. No one walked away from her table hungry!

Carol was a fighter! She was a breast cancer survivor and a selfless caregiver for many, including her parents and Red's parents. Carol was instrumental in building the family cabin, affectionately known as "Ma's Camp" in Amasa, MI. She peeled logs, pounded nails, stained the cabin, and kept the guys well fed. She treasured her time in nature. If Red couldn't find Carol, she was most likely fishing off the dock or tending to her wildflower garden, her favorite being daisies.

Carol is survived by her husband of nearly 65 years, Red; children, Colleen Pamperin (Ken), John Colleran (Heidi Allen), and Mike Colleran; grandchildren, Dan Pamperin (Jen Roskom-Pamperin), Erin Pamperin Murphy (Christopher), Megan Colleran, Jack Colleran, Macy Johnson, and Michael Colleran; great-grandchildren, Addysen and Kennedy Pamperin, Liam and Cecilia Murphy; her sisters Cleo (Jim) Marshall, Judy (Dan) Hockers; and sisters-in-law, Kitty Miller and Julie Van Straten. She is further survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law, Jack and Virginia (Baker) Colleran; brother, Gale Van Straten; and brother-in-law, David Miller.

Carol had an incredible zest for life, was a committed partner to her husband, and a fierce advocate for her children and grandchildren. She touched countless lives and always made you feel like you were the most important person in the world to her. She was the best wife, mother, and grandmother we could ask for. Were we blessed to have her? Using her words..."Oh yeah, baby!"

Friends and family will gather at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2597 Glendale Ave., (The entrance is directly across from BP gas station on Glendale Ave.) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25; Mass to follow at 12:30 p.m. Burial will be in St. John The Baptist Catholic Cemetery. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

A special thank you to Unity Hospice, especially Nurse Madison, for the sincere and compassionate care given to Carol and her family.

In lieu of flowers, please do a random act of kindness for someone, and think of her the next time you see a daisy - that's what Carol would have wanted.