Colleen Dawn Sherer, 85, of Boise, Idaho, passed away peacefully on February 19 th , 2023. Colleen was born in Watertown, SD on August 30, 1937 to Sigfred and Fern (Hanson) England.
Colleen graduated from Watertown High School in 1955 and enrolled at Northern State College in Aberdeen to pursue a degree in teaching. Upon graduating, her teaching career began in a tiny schoolhouse in the small town of Redfield, SD.
Also, while at Northern, she met and soon began dating Merrill “Mick” Sherer who was also studying to become a teacher. Colleen and Mick became inseparable and married on June 10, 1962. They raised two wonderful children, Karla and Patrick.
After several moves around the country for Mick’s career, Colleen and Mick finally settled in Rapid City in 1975. Colleen became a substitute teacher at the elementary level for the Rapid City School District where she made many life-long friendships over a 20+ year span. Throughout those years, she was often requested by numerous teachers to fill in as their long-term substitute when they had maternity or medical leave. She thoroughly enjoyed her time as a teacher.
Colleen was a member of The First Presbyterian Church in Rapid City and was also active in the local PEO chapter. She enjoyed spending time with her family hiking, cross country skiing, travelling, and attending Post 22 American Legion Baseball games. Colleen was also very involved in her crafts. She would often have the sewing machine running late into the night or cross stitching for hours on end. If there was a bazaar or craft show happening, she was there.
During her last 8 years, Colleen spent her days playing Bingo, doing puzzles, watching movies and reading while living at Grace Assisted Living in Boise, Idaho. She was very lucky to have found an amazing friend and companion, Al Van Hemelryck, to spend most days with while living at Grace. She would often convince Al to drive her to a fabric store, to the mall or to the movies and he was always willing.
Colleen is survived by her daughter Karla Sherer of Boise, Idaho; son, Patrick (Renee) of Eagle, Idaho; sisters, Connie Nelson of Bennett, Colorado and Kay Diehl of Riverside, California; brother, Douglas England of Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Janice Ries (Bill) of Bellflower, California; three grandchildren, Joshua, Ryan and Rylee, one great grandchild, Matthew, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City, SD at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Colleen’s name to the charity of your choosing.