Colleen H. Scholle

Colleen Scholle, of Clear Lake, IA, died May 5, 2025 at Pioneer Park in Lone Tree. Family will hold a graveside memorial at Oakwood Cemetery, Floyd, Iowa at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Colleen was born in LaPorte City, IA. She was raised on the Sigler family farm located NW of Charles City and South of Floyd, by her parents Lee and Esta (Sigler) Holtz. Colleen graduated from Rudd High School, Class of 1950. Shortly after graduation, she began working as a Northwestern Bell telephone operator in Charles City. While in Charles City, she married and raised her family. Her family brought her many joys, but also some heartbreak. She sadly lost her 5-year-old son, Lance, to leukemia. Her first son, Dale, at age 17, had a near fatal motorcycle accident and survived with many disabilities. He later passed at age 45. Her two other children were her daughter, Inda, and stepson Alan, who both also benefited from her unconditional care and love.

During this time, in Charles City, she survived the direct hit to her office at NW Bell by the devastating F5 tornado of May 1968. She was one of the operators that was praised for their heroics in keeping the phone lines open in the disastrous aftermath.

She later transferred to Mason City US West as an administrative clerk. She often shared her fond memories of volunteering with the Telephone Pioneers of America as Pepe the Clown. Pepe spread much cheer among those she visited. She was instrumental in starting a local chapter of this clown unit. The Telephone Pioneers of America was a central part of her life, as she was a lifetime member and proud past president. Colleen took early retirement after more than 33 years of service with NW Bell/US West.

After retirement, Colleen moved to Swaledale, Iowa where she lived for over 20 years. She tended many beautiful flower gardens. She travelled to many places. She loved her “girl” trips with Rakel and Julie and sometimes others. Bowling, nature, dancing and spending time with close friends over a bottle of wine were her many ways to have fun and enjoy life.

She later moved to Clear Lake. She enjoyed the beauty. She worked a few jobs. She volunteered at the art center. She enjoyed many concerts at the Band Shell, the Surf Ballroom, and The Central Gardens. She danced. She made many dear friends, including Annette Cooper. She also had many trips to Iowa City for sharing holidays and just being together with Inda and Gina.

After a change in health, in 2018, Colleen moved to an Assisted Living Memory Care apartment at Pioneer Park in Lone Tree to be closer to Inda and Gina and to receive appropriate care. Though she suffered through the isolation of COVID, she was able to stay in her own apartment until January 2023. At that time, she became more dependent on others for care and she was moved to the health center in the same facility. She was admitted to hospice November 2024. Though she had late-stage Alzheimer’s, she knew her family to the end. Inda was blessed with her last word – “LOVE”. We know she was trying to say “I love you” to Inda who was truly her best friend.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Esta and Lee Holtz, two spouses, John Popes and Don Scholle, her sons Dale Lee Popes and Lance Donovan Scholle. She is survived by her daughter, Inda (Gina Kaefring) and her stepson Alan (Joyce) Scholle, her grandson, Tim Scholle (Megan) and two great-grandchildren.

From Inda, A very special thank you to the staff of Pioneer Park for the love, comfort, and patience during these past seven years. Thank you to Moments Hospice for their wonderful care, including music therapists singing Elvis’s songs to Colleen in her final days. We got smiles and giggles and maybe even a toe tap.

Thanks to Rakel, Julie, Barb, Sherry and Net for their unwavering friendships. Also, Dan Cooke and family, friend Mike Cookman and neighbors Cindy and Nancy for being our “Clear Lake Village” (our eyes and ears) and helping with her needs. And others, you know who you are. Also, thank you to Dr. Robert and staff of Breitbach Chiropractic in Charles City for keeping her going for all those years. Thanks to Gina who was by my side the entire time. She helped so much with helping my mom be comfortable, often planned our fun outings and advocated for her medical needs. And, to save the most important for last, our family hairdresser, Deb Bauer in Charles City and Colleen’s beautician at Pioneer Park, Missy, who always made her look her best.

Colleen was one of a kind. She was a survivor her whole life. A strong woman she was.

And she DID IT HER WAY.

RIP, dear sweet soul.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.