Colleen Boelens

Colleen Boelens, born on June 13, 1931, in Bushong, Kansas, passed away on January 28, 2026, in Topeka, Kansas. The day she passed away was 40 years to the day after her mother passed. Colleen lived a life marked by devotion, family, and a commitment to her community.

Her educational foundation began at Mansfield Rural School, continuing through Eskridge High School, and later, Clarks Business College. Following her education, Colleen embarked on a career at Southwestern Bell Telephone, dedicating her service until 1957, when she chose to become a stay-at-home mom.

Colleen's life was interwoven with that of her beloved husband, Theodore Boelens, whom she married on March 6, 1954, at her Aunt Marie and Uncle Frank Munsell's house in Wilsey, Kansas. Together, they embraced an adventurous life as Ted served in the military. Their early years saw them stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas, followed by a remarkable assignment in Morocco, Africa, where they traveled through Spain, France, and England, enriching their experiences abroad. The couple then enjoyed time at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base near Marquette, Michigan. After Ted’s deployment to Vietnam, Colleen, along with their daughter, Melody, returned to the family farm south of Eskridge, Kansas. Their journey continued with a year and a half at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas, concluding with a move back to Kansas, where they resided on a farm south of Eskridge before settling in a home in Silver Lake, Kansas, where they remained from 1973 onward. In the years after her husband’s retirement from the Air Force, she was an aide at Council Grove Hospital and also worked and retired from Caseys in Silver Lake where she was the baker.

Colleen's passions extended beyond her family and career. She was an avid quilter, known for her beautifully decorated gift bags, stunning floral arrangements and her delicious pies. In her younger years, she enjoyed playing golf.

Since 1974, she was a devoted member of Christ Lutheran Church, where she cherished her Bible Study Group in her later years.

Colleen was preceded in death by her father, John Wayman; her mother, Esther Melinda Blair; her husband, Theodore Boelens, who passed away on November 29, 2010, after 57 years of marriage; and her brother, Kenneth (Betty) Wayman.

She is survived by her son, Vaughn Schultz; her daughter, Melody (Rick) Matyak; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; her brother, Noel (Linda) Wayman; and brother-in-law, Peter (Maria) Boelens.

The legacy of Colleen Boelens will live on through her family and the countless lives she touched. As we remember her, we will gather to celebrate her life with a visitation on January 30, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Parker-Price & Davidson in Topeka, Kansas. A funeral service will be held on January 31, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Christ Lutheran Church in Topeka, followed by her burial at 2:00 PM at Eskridge Cemetery in Eskridge, Kansas.

Colleen's life was a tapestry woven with love, compassion, and dedication, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the honor of knowing her.

Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice 200 SW Frazier Cir, Topeka, KS 66606.

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