Colleen Marie Brouillette Passes at 77

Colleen Marie Brouillette, 77, of St. Paul, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Howard County Medical Center.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, November 28, 2022 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Reverend Vince Parsons and Deacon Neil Baquet concelebrated the Mass. Amber Wissing served as lector. Musicians included Linda Kezeor, Cindy Peters, Stacey Keller, Dan Nielsen, Linda Schmaderer, and Noah Thede. Musical selections were “On Eagle’s Wings”, “Amazing Grace”, “Danny Boy”, “Song of Farewell”, and “How Great Thou Art”. Casket bearers and gift bearers included Colleen’s grandchildren and their spouses.

A private inurnment was held in Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.

Memorials are suggested to Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Life Center, or to the family for later designation.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul assisted the family.

Colleen was born on August 2, 1945, at Phillipsburg, Kansas, the daughter of Cloyd and Thelma (Fix) Gaffney. As a young girl, she moved with her parents to Alma, where she received her education and graduated from Alma High School in 1962. She then attended Kearney State College.

She was united in marriage to Monte E. Brouillette on December 29, 1964, in Alma. The couple first lived in Hastings, while Monte attended college. In 1967, the couple moved to St. Paul, where they lived the rest of their married life and raised their two children. She worked as a proofreader for the Phonograph-Herald newspaper in St. Paul and then babysat out of her home for many years. The couple also operated the concession stands at the St. Paul baseball fields.

Colleen enjoyed traveling to Estes Park, Colorado and gambling in Deadwood, South Dakota. She and Monte enjoyed noon meals together every day at Skyline Café in St. Paul or Perkins in Grand Island.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.

She is survived by her husband, Monte of St. Paul; daughter and son-inlaw, Suzy and Rick Peters of St. Paul; son, Travis Brouillette of St. Paul; seven grandchildren and spouses, Amber and John Wissing of St. Libory, Sam and Jenny Nelson of Grand Island, Brooke and Donnie Rinehart of McCook, Quinn Brouillette of St. Paul, Turner Brouillette and Cassandra Mohrman of St. Paul, Brock and Ashley Peters of Grand Island, and Brett Peters of Central City; eleven great-grandchildren, Blake, Kourtney, Duke, Kora, and Kami Wissing; Logan and Hadley Nelson; Aria and Rory Peters; and Palmer and Norman Peters; brotherin- law and sister-in-law, Gary and Pat Brouillette of Lincoln; niece and spouse, Tarin and Joel Schindler, and their daughter, Avery, of Omaha; and niece, Tyne Brouillette of Lincoln.

Colleen was preceded in death by her parents.