Colleen Askelson

Colleen Askelson, age 81, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 2, 2013, at the Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. Dave Sorenson and Rev. Bryan Robertson presiding. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah, Iowa in the spring. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Friday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah and also after 10:00 a.m., at the church on Saturday morning. Colleen Shirley (Hovey) Askelson was born on August 19, 1931, the daughter of Clarence and Clara (Syverson) Hovey in Madison Township, near Decorah, Iowa. Colleen attended country school in Madison Township and graduated from Decorah High School in 1950. She was united in marriage to Ralph Askelson on March 9, 1951, at the Decorah Lutheran Church. Together they farmed east of Decorah in Glenwood Township for many years until they moved into Decorah in the fall of 1984. Colleen was a member of the Decorah Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School, helped with confirmation and Ladies Circle. She also was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Over the years, Colleen did housekeeping for several people and was an Advocate at Wellington Place Nursing Home. Colleen enjoyed fishing, ice fishing and was a wonderful cook and baker. Colleen was a great mother to her children and a fun loving Grandma to all her grandchildren. Colleen is survived by her four children: Les (Kathryn Thompson) Askelson, Decorah, IA; Claire (Julie) Askelson, Decorah, IA; Marlyn Askelson, Decorah, IA; and Connie (Tim) Kuennen, Decorah, IA. Seven grandchildren: Danielle (Tom) Laybourn, Chris Askelson, Claire Askelson II, Ryan Askelson, Erica Askelson, Alexis Kuennen and Nolan Kuennen. Two great granddaughters: Alice and Sally Laybourn. Two sisters: Virginia Sacquitne, Decorah, IA, and Martha (Bernard) Casterton, Decorah, IA. Sisters-in-law: Betty Nerby, Rochester, MN; LaVonne (Stan) Kohlepp, Eau Claire, WI; Donna Erickson, La Crosse, WI; and Sandra Johnson, Eau Claire, WI. One brother-in-law: Leo Johnson, Murfreesboro, TN, along with many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Colleen was preceded in death by her parents: Clarence and Clara (Syverson) Hovey. Her husband: Ralph Askelson on Jan. 15, 1985. Three brothers-in-law: Sandy Nerby, Paul Erickson and Obert Sacquitne. Three sisters-in-law: Katie Johnson, Audrey Helgeson and Margaret Olson. Her mother-in-law: Ruth (Askelson) Johnson. One niece: Virlis McClintock. One nephew: Donald Sacquitne. One great nephew: Danan Lansing.