Colleen Collins Eaton

Colleen Collins Eaton, 83, formerly of Shelley passed away April 11, 2012 in Clearfield, Utah.     

Colleen was born December 7, 1928 to Triece Elmer Collins and VonDella Kelsey Collins at the Red Cross Hospital in San Fernando, California.  

Colleen grew up around the old Washington School northeast of Shelley.  She spent most of her early school years in the one room school house learning reading, writing and arithmetic. Colleen learned the value of hard work as a young girl working in the potato and beet fields. But there was always time for riding horses and drawing and painting with her childhood friend Marilyn Hoff  Hansen . 

After graduating from high school, Colleen moved to Idaho Falls and began her career as a legal secretary for several attorneys.  A year later, she met her husband, Melvin J Eaton and they were married June 1, 1948.  They enjoyed dancing together as well as the outdoors and spent many happy weekends together with their family fishing, camping and water-skiing as well as their Pinnochle Club. 

After their last child was in school, Colleen went back to work and worked for Roger Brothers Seed Company in Idaho Falls, The City of Shelley, R.T. French Company in Shelley and lastly Idaho Management Services from whom she retired.

Colleen’s favorite pastimes were time spent with her husband Mel and grandchildren, golfing, reading, painting and any other outdoor activities.  She loved a good joke and her infectious laugh was the best reward for a good one.

Colleen is survived by her brother, Gerald J. Collins of Petersboro, Utah and her sister Sheila Collins of Kuna, Idaho, her children, Debra Lee Justesen of Tucson, Arizona, Brooks Teeples of Layton, Utah, Randy James Eaton of Shelley, Idaho and Anthony (Tony) Mel Eaton of Shelley, Idaho.  She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren, and 18 step-grandchildren.

Colleen was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Melvin J Eaton, December 16, 2000, her sister, Betty Jean Sorenson, a grandson, Scott Antony Eaton, and a granddaughter Tania Colette Holm.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Shelley South Stake Center (675 South Milton Ave.). The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7:00 till 8:30 p.m. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Saturday morning from 11:30 till 12:40 at the church. Burial will be in the Taylor Cemetery.