Colleen Ann (Burke) Bertrand, age 88, passed away on June 13, 2023, at New Perspective in Howard. She was born on March 17, 1935, in Green Bay, WI, the daughter of Norman and Viola (Erickson) Burke. Her St. Patrick's Day birthday and Irish heritage made every birthday an extra special celebration.

Colleen's mother was widowed with 5 children, ages 2 weeks to 10 years. Her uncle, Norbertine Fr. Dennis Burke, looked after the family and provided a strong Catholic upbringing. Colleen and her siblings took on many responsibilities at a young age to help their mother support the family. Likely, one of the reasons why Colleen was such a strong, independent and caring person.

Colleen grew up a west-sider. She loved to spend time with the Erickson grandparents on their small farm, which is now the location of Holy Family School and St. Agnes Church. She played basketball for St. Patrick's grade school. At age 13, her first job was picking cherries at a farm in Door County, which was the beginning of her love to travel.

Colleen graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1953. She married Dick Bertrand in 1957. Following a honeymoon to Aspen, Colorado, they returned home to find that a family member (not to be named) had opened up all of their wedding gifts. Colleen and Dick welcomed 3 daughters, and yes, finally a son to their family. They taught by example with kindness, generosity and a strong work ethic. Colleen and Dick resided in Schmitt Park until Dick's passing in 1996. She then moved to her condo at Lake Largo, which she loved.

Colleen was always planning the next trip. Therefore, no one was surprised that as an empty nester, she took a job at Moore Fun Tours and was soon chaperoning trips and checking out vacation destinations for the agency. She was also a pro on the bus microphone. One of Colleen's most unique jobs at Bertrand's Sporting Goods Store was hand stamping thousands of autographed footballs for the Green Bay Packers. She also established the first pro shop at Western Racquet.

A collector of memories, her request one Christmas was that all of her children and grandchildren write down memories in a binder to share with her so she could have a little bit of them with her forever. She would read it over and over again. Seems that she may have had a premonition of what was to come.

Colleen was funny, witty, adventurous and was willing to sit in a duck blind while 7 months pregnant. She embraced her freckles and her exceptionally low, distinctive singing voice at church. Her sarcastic sense of humor was an invitation for any recipient to banter back.

Colleen was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Bertrand, and just a year ago, her daughter, Polly Bunker. She was also preceded in death by her sister Virginia Burke; brother Michael Burke and his wife Patricia; brother-in-law John Maufort; brother-in-law Roger Bertrand and his wife Joyce; nephew Thomas Maufort.

Nene was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, always giving of herself for the benefit of her family and is survived by her children:  Ellen Mortell (Jerry) of Green Bay, Mary Jo McCarthy (Brian) of Menlo Park, CA, Scott Bertrand (Tina) of Green Bay; Ten grandchildren: Nicholas Bunker (Sara) of Clifton, VA, Danielle Raty (Esther) of Minneapolis, MN, Max Mortell (Joanie) of Plymouth, MA, Peter Mortell (Kristina) of Green Bay, Colleen Mortell of Los Angeles, CA, Christine McCarthy of Austin, TX, Kaitlin McCarthy of Menlo Park, CA, Emily Bertrand of Eden Prairie, MN, Jaclyn Bertrand of Green Bay, Hunter Bertrand of Green Bay; Seven great-grandchildren: Delilah, Valerie and Imogene Bunker; Taylor Mortell; Mila, Mason and Maya Mortell. She is also survived by her sister Patricia Maufort of DePere; brother Peter Burke (Joyce) of Foot Hill Ranch, CA; brother-in-law Gary Bertrand of New Franken, WI and 12 nieces and nephews.

Unending gratitude to the nurses, caregivers and all of the staff at New Perspective Memory Care, Fox Rehabilitation and Unity Hospice. Thank you to all who over the past 2 years remembered Colleen with a card, call, flowers or visit. Even when her short-term memory failed, know that in that moment, you added a smile or a welcomed distraction from the confusion and frustration of dementia. It also provided family with much appreciation for keeping mom in your life.

Friends and family will gather at Old St. Joseph's Catholic Church on the St. Norbert College Campus, 123 Grant Street, De Pere, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 20. Please Park at Cassandra Voss Center visitor parking lot P14 and then follow the sidewalk past the right side of the Bemis International Center through the campus toward the Fox River. If lot P14 is full, parking on the streets going west, past Dudley Birder Hall is permissible; Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10 a.m. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com .

A memorial fund will be established to acknowledge caregivers who spend their days and nights providing thoughtful care to those suffering with dementia.