Colin "Colie" Hanes

Colin “Colie” Frank Hanes, 73 of Mounds View passed away peacefully on December 7th, 2021 surrounded by his family after a long battle with lung cancer.

Colie was born on September 20th, 1948 to Ellen Rose Joy and Thaddeus Hanes in Sisseton, South Dakota. The family eventually moved to a farmstead in Bruno, Minnesota where he spent most of his youth. He grew up working hard on the farm, often picking rock in the fields. It is here that he also learned the love of hunting and fishing which he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He developed lifelong friendships that he carried with him forever. Colie graduated from Willow River High School in 1966.  A quote in his yearbook describes him perfectly, “I want to be bashful, but the girls won’t let me”! He was always a ladies man (something else he’s passed on to his sons and grandsons).

After graduation, Colie enlisted in the Navy where he served 2 “cruises” on the U.S.S. Coral Sea Aircraft Carrier during Vietnam. While in the Navy, he worked on the flight deck. When Colie wasn’t on the flight deck working, he could be found below deck playing cards and picking a guitar. He may have started playing his guitar as a teenager, but he perfected it while in the Navy. He told stories of working 12 hours on the flight deck, 12 hours of playing cards and then another 12 hours on the flight deck. His passion for having fun only landed him in the brig one time!

After leaving the Navy, he met the love of his life, Wanda. Though he allegedly wanted to be a brain surgeon, he settled into the drywall business. Turns out, he had a pretty strong passion for it and never left or retired. Colie and Wanda were married on October 22nd, 1971, eventually settling into a home in South Minneapolis where they’d begin their family with DeAnn and Chad. In 1979, they built their forever home in Mounds View and added Russ to the family soon thereafter.

Colie’s passion for drywall and being a hard worker is something that NOBODY who ever met him, will ever forget. It was not uncommon for him to work 7 days a week, even into his later years. It also wasn’t uncommon for people to be begging him for their bill! Hard work was something he believed strongly in and something he instilled in his family. What’s an Easter morning without first sanding out a basement?!

It wasn’t all about work for Colie, he had many hobbies that he enjoyed with family and friends. Colie’s passion for classic country music, playing guitar and singing is something that will live on for generations. None of us will ever forget the bonfire sing-a-longs and family concerts he was a part of. Colie’s love of the outdoors, whether it be hunting or fishing are some of the sweetest memories we have. During those days spent in the woods or on the lake, he was always with those he loved. Colie thoroughly enjoyed time spent in the garage hosting car club, drinking beer, eating peanuts and telling stories.

While one of Colie’s greatest attributes was his work ethic, anyone who knew him would tell you about his giant heart. If ever you needed anything, Colie was there. He was one of the most humble and selfless people anyone could ever know. He would not hesitate to give you the shirt off his back should you need it.

Colie loved his wife, kids, grandchildren, family, and friends with everything he had. He was a dedicated husband of 50 years. He loved his children and taught them how to be good people as well.  Perhaps his greatest role was as a grandpa. He loved all of his grandkids with his whole heart and enjoyed every second he had with them. Though he’s left us here on earth, we will forever carry all of the memories and lessons that he gave us. He has been and will remain a blessing to all who have had the honor to know him.

Colie is preceded in death by his father Thaddeus and his brother Darrell. Colie is survived by his wife of 50 years, Wanda; daughter DeAnn (Mike) Dickinson and their children Jordan and Logan; son Chad (Kristi) Hanes and their children Presley and Brandt; son Russ (Autumn) Hanes and their children Lilliana and Caleb. He’s also survived by his mother Joy Nelson; siblings Doug (Karen), Brian, Colleen and Donna; and many extended family members and friends.  Service to be held Monday, Dec 20, 2021 at Bradshaw Funeral Home, 4600 Greenhaven Dr, White Bear Lake, MN 55127.  Visitation begins at 10am, service at 12pm and luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Invisible Wounds Project, a nonprofit founded by his son Russ and inspired by Colie. www.iwproject.org/donate.

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