Colleen Jane (Mclellan) Bronstad

Colleen Jane Bronstad, 67, of Chetek passed away peacefully at her residence December 16, 2014 with her loving husband by her side.  Colleen was born to Orville and Blanche McLellan on August 3, 1947.  She graduated from Cameron High School in 1965.  Colleen's jobs throughout her life included working in the office at New Auburn High School, JC Penney and Country Market in Rice Lake, and the bank in Barron, but her favorite profession was as a calligrapher.  Everyone that knew her was always impressed by her beautiful handwriting.  She was a grateful member of the Chetek Al-Anon Club for over 34 years, and was thankful for the many friends she gained through this affiliation.

In June of 1983, she married the love of her life, Basil Bronstad, at the Chapel of the Bells, in Reno, Nevada.  Over the course of almost 40 years, they raised four children, Vince Bronstad, David Bronstad, Angela (Gordy) Hierlmeier, and Amy (Chris Mars) Anderson.

Colleen loved flowers, gardening, birds, cooking, and canning her famous Dill Pickles and salsa. She opened up her home and heart to many people over the years, providing plenty of food and friendship to all who knew her.  She had a great love for her two cocker-spaniels, Cody and Cassie, whom will miss her terribly.  One of her favorite pastimes was camping and fishing at Audi Lake with Basil and the dogs.   She loved spending the holidays and birthdays with her family, it gave her great joy.

She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Basil, 2 daughters Angela (Anderson) Hierlmeier and her husband Gordy, of Glenwood City and Amy Anderson and fiance Chris Mars, of Menomonie, 2 sons Vince (Rebecca) Bronstad of Bloomer and David Bronstad of Eau Claire;  11 grandchildren (Jacob, Dillon and Nicholas Hierlmeier; Dustin, Chris, Tyler, Shania, Jenna, Josh, April and Joe Bronstad).  She is also survived by her brothers-in-law Herman, Dennis and Bryce (Geraldine) Bronstad, sisters-in-law Sue Bronstad, Garnet Bronstad, Ideen Parks, Ann Bronstad, Sharon (Darrell) Boggess and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service for Colleen will be held on Friday, December 19, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at Chetek Lutheran Church in Chetek.  Colleen’s family will greet visitors at the church beginning at 9:00 A.M until the time of service.  Interment will take place in Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI at a later date.   Please view and sign the online guestbook at www.burnhamours.com .

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Chetek has been entrusted with arrangements.

"To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die," and "what the heart once owned, it shall never lose," were Colleen's two favorite sayings.