Phyllis J Colgan

Mass of Christian Burial for Phyllis J. Colgan will be conducted from the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Friday, March 27, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Thomas Lux officiating. Interment will be in the Alma Cemetery in Alma, Nebraska following a luncheon at the church.

Phyllis Jean Colgan, 89 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2015 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Phyllis was born May 27, 1925, south of Huntley, in Harlan County, Nebraska, the only child born to Floyd Clifford and Helen Lucinda (Porter) Kaup. She received her primary education in Ragan, Nebraska and then graduated from Huntley High School with the class of 1942. Phyllis then attended Business College in Hastings, Nebraska. Following her education, Phyllis employed in the office at Cudhy's in Alma for a short period of time before her children were born.

On April 12, 1944, she was united in marriage to Vincent Anthony Colgan at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orleans, Nebraska. They were blessed with five children: John, James, Jean, Michael and Lucinda Rose. Phyllis enjoyed being a homemaker and raising her children.

When her youngest child enrolled in Kindergarten, she began her employment outside of the home at the Selective Service Office in Holdrege from 1963 to 1973 as the executive secretary. Phyllis was also employed in the office of Strong-Hecke Auto Villa in Holdrege from 1974 until her retirement in 1994.

She was a member of the All Saints Catholic Church, and was an active member of the Altar Society and served on the Parish Council. She was a devoted member of the Lions Club in Holdrege, the Lexington Chapter of the Compassionate Friends, served on the Board of Directors of the Holdrege Memorial Homes, as well as active with their auxiliary. Phyllis was an active volunteer with the Red Cross, serving regionally on the Fort Kearney Chapter of the Red Cross Board of Directors. She also served as the Red Cross Bloodmobile chairwoman for many years and was honored as the recipient of the Red Cross Hero Award. She was proud to serve as the military liaison to families and locally supported the Red Cross with people who were affected by fires.

Phyllis was also a member of the non-profit United Commercial Travelers (UTC), where she served as secretary for approximately 25 years and was Grand Counselor of Nebraska UTC in 2001.

On April 12, 2014, Vincent and Phyllis celebrated their 70 ^th Wedding Anniversary. Their commitment to one another and to the well-being of others, is an inspiration to all. Vince passed away on February 9, 2015.

Besides her parents and husband, Vince, Phyllis was preceded in death by one son, Mike Colgan; brother-in-law, Virgil Colgan; and two sisters-in-law: Regina Feeley and Cecilia Morin.

She leaves to mourn her passing; two sons: John Colgan and his wife, Susan of Parker, Colorado and Jim Colgan and his wife, Betsy of West Sacramento, California; two daughters: Jean Phillips of Charlotte, North Carolina and Cindy Potthoff and her husband, David of Lincoln, Nebraska; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Colgan of Lawrence, Kansas; 17 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege. Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

A memorial has been established in Phyllis' honor and kindly suggested to the All Saints Catholic School or the Holdrege Memorial Homes Foundation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.