Colleen Mary Vollenweider

Colleen Mary Vollenweider, 73, of La Crosse, WI, passed away on January 23, 2024. She was born on March 26, 1950, to George and Marita (Koel) Smith in Caledonia, MN. Colleen graduated from Aquinas High School in 1968.  After graduating from Viterbo University in 1972, She received her R.N. B.S.N.

Colleen began her nursing career at Lutheran Hospital and then transferred to Gundersen Clinic as a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Nurse. In 1982, Colleen completed a special training program in Enterostomal therapy at Harrisburg Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Her career continued and in 2009 she helped to open the Wound Center Outpatient service at Gundersen.  In 2013, Colleen received the Nurse Excellence Award for Lifetime Achievement. Colleen retired after 45 years of dedicated service to her patients.

Colleen met Jon Vollenweider and they were married in 1974. They were blessed with their son Jason in 1976.  After her retirement, Colleen and Jon spent their time hiking, kayaking, riding bicycles, going on motorcycle and car rides, hot tubbing and relaxing in their beautiful backyard. They also enjoyed some nice trips to Florida.

Colleen was preceded in death by her sister Diane Smith, her nephew Christopher Seal, her maternal and paternal grandparents, and her mother-in-law and father-in- law.  Colleen is survived by her husband Jon Vollenweider, her son Jason Vollenweider and Eugenia Guicciardi, her parents George and Marita (Koel) Smith, her sisters Kathy (Billy) Seal and Linda ( Frank) Gillette, her brothers Tom (Sandy) Smith, Jerry (Janet) Smith and Michael ( Janelle) Smith, her sisters-in-law Rita (Mike) Overhouse  and Priscilla (Gary) Fisher, and many nieces and nephews.

The family is so thankful for the wonderful care that Colleen received at Gundersen Health Systems and Hillview Care Center and for the caring assistance of Gundersen Hospice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday February 3rd, at Mary Mother of the Church Parish, 2006 Weston Street, La Crosse, WI 54601 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Brian D. Konopa officiating. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 A.M. until the start of Mass. Following the service, lunch will be provided in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Mary, Mother of the Church or to Gundersen Health System Hospice Services.