Carol Jean (Freimuth) Colgin

ONTONAGON, Mich. — Carol Jean (Freimuth) Colgin, 90, of Ontonagon, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on Aug. 23, 2018, at Aspirus Hospital Long-Term Facility, where she had been a resident for a very short time.

Carol was born in Mellen, Wis., on Jan. 27, 1928, to Joseph and Genevieve Freimuth. She graduated from Ontonagon High School in 1946. She then attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Green Bay, Wis., graduating in 1949. Following graduation, she returned to Ontonagon as a registered nurse and began her career working for Dr. William Strong.

Carol married Keith Colgin on Sept. 23, 1950, in Detroit, Michigan, where they started and raised their family. She worked in Detroit at New Grace Hospital as head nurse of the OB/GYN department. Leaving in 1976, she returned to Ontonagon, taking on the position of Director of Nursing at Maple Manor Nursing Center. After a nearly 30-year career there, she continued to volunteer at the facility until its closing in 2009.

Carol was a certified emergency medical technician, serving Ontonagon County for years. Through various programs, including the school district of Ontonagon, she provided instruction and training in emergency medicine and nursing to many in the community.

Carol was a faithful member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Ontonagon, the rag-cutting crew at St. Vincent de Paul, and card playing gals at the Ontonagon Senior Center. She was a handicrafter who exceled in sewing and crocheting. Carol enjoyed game shows, cards, crosswords, slot machines, and Scrabble. She was an excellent baker who always made sure her family had lemon torte, custard pie, hoho cake, spritz and fruit cookies.

Carol is survived by her children, Carol Lynn (Robert) Skiba, Michael Colgin, Cynthia (Russel) Stokes, Christine (Dennis) Ernest, grandchildren Ryan (Morgan Oldenburg) Gonzales, Hollie (Bradley) Arts, Tyler (Teegan) Ernest, Aidan Stokes, step-grandchildren Jeffrey and Brian Skiba, Audrey Stokes, great-grandsons Hayden and Colt Arts, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Thomas and Ann Colgin, along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Genevieve, husband Keith, brothers Robert and William (Huck) Freimuth, beloved sister Donna (Freimuth) McDonald, and niece Nancy Drew.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Father Michael Jacobus will be celebrated today, Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 11 a.m. at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Ontonagon. Friends may call on family at church one hour prior to the start of the service. After mass, a luncheon will be held at the church with internment at Riverside Cemetery in Ontonagon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed locally to OCAP, 19504 State Hwy M-38, Ontonagon, MI 49953 or sent to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004.

The Cane Funeral Home of Ontonagon is assisting the family.