Coleen Marie Shepard

Coleen Marie Shepard, 58, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Friday, June 2, 2017, at Richmond Healthcare & Rehabilitation. Graveside inurnment will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, June 9, 2017, at Highland Cemetery. Coleen was born Sunday, March 15, 1959, in Ottawa, Kansas, the daughter of Glen Antone Shepard and Dimples E. (Bishop) Shepard Woodrum. She entered this world at just over three pounds and had struggles throughout her life. Except for the past six months when she made her home at the Richmond Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center she lived her entire life in Ottawa. She attended Ottawa schools. For several years Coleen volunteered at the Ottawa Senior Center and helped deliver meals for Meals on Wheels. As a child, she attended the Nazarene Church with her mother which was just down the street from where they lived. Coleen conquered alcoholism 28 years + 4 months at the time of her death. The past 6 months she also stopped smoking, both she considered her greatest accomplishments. She had a special love and interest in the elderly and babies or young children. Coleen always inquired about her extended family and loved to hear stories about her grandparents which she never had the privilege of knowing. Coleen was born late in her parents lives and they divorced when she was young. She loved reading and until the end would attempt to read even when it required use of a large magnifying glass because of the loss of her eyesight. The past 10 years of her life she was legally blind. Coleen was an avid animal lover of all kinds but especially her cats, Jackson and Buttercup. Coleen was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by aunt, Betty Bishop of Hutchinson; a special friend; and several cousins. The family suggests memorial contributions to Richmond Healthcare Activity Fund or Prairie Paws Animal Shelter c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Coleen’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com