Colleen Zinke, 96, passed away March 30, 2025 at Stonecroft Village, Mendota, Illinois.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 4, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Compton, with Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Visitation will be at 9:00 prior to the service.   Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota.

Colleen was born September 24, 1928, in Jefferson County, Illinois, to Newton and Anna (Jones, Lee) Boykin.  Colleen's faith began at a very early age listening to her father read bible stories and attending the local Baptist church every Sunday.  She married Harold W. Zinke on February 5, 1950, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she was a member for over 75 years.

Colleen loved spending time with her family, making clothes for her children and grandchildren, mowing the lawn, the beautiful fall colors, watching sunrises and sunsets.  She also loved working in the fields which she did beside her husband until her son, Mike, and his wife, Linda took over. She loved to travel across the United States with her family and later enjoyed trips with her husband including 2 trips to Europe.

Colleen worked at Westclox, LaSalle, Illinois, Holdenrid Shoes, Mendota, and as a receptionist at R & R Ford, Mendota .  She volunteered for 20 years at Mendota Community Hospital (OFS Medical Center) on the floor, gift shop, and immunization clinic.

She was actively involved at Immanuel teaching Sunday School, Bible School, Church Council, President and treasurer of mission action in WERCA, quilting group, Northern Illinois Synod Women Central Conference.  Colleen founded the Windfarm Red Hatters with women from the Compton, Paw Paw, and Mendota area.  She was an active member of the PTA and the Canteen board.

She is survived by her daughter, Sheila (Bruce) Bradley of Gordon, WI, son, Michael (Linda) of Amboy.  Four grandchildren Douglas (Lisa) Smith, Joshua Zinke, Lance Smith, and Marci Zinke.  Four great grandchildren Hunter and Hannah Smith, Nathan and Isabella (Ivy) Schoditsch.

Colleen was preceded in death by her husband, infant daughter, Marsha, brothers Eldred (Bud) Lee of Greely, CO, Glenn Boykin of Hampton, VA.

Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church. Please visit www.horner-merritt.com to sign the online guest book.