Loretta Colwell

Loretta Jane Colwell

(née Barrett)

Passed away peacefully on March 22, 2022, surrounded by her children and her loving husband, Ray. Loretta was born on November 28, 1928, to John and Margaret (née McCroden) Barrett in Crystal Lake, Iowa. Growing up, Loretta was surrounded by the love of her parents and her sisters, Mary Ellen and Betty. She had a close relationship with her loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. After graduating from Ottumwa Heights College, she began her teaching career in Rockford, IA. On October 28, 1950, Loretta married Raymond Colwell, her beloved husband of 71 years. Family was Loretta’s greatest joy in life, and she and Ray were blessed with nine children and their spouses, 23 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. Throughout Ray’s career their family moved many times, and Loretta always made their new house a home for her family, while also making many lasting friendships from their time living in Iowa, St. Paul MN, Shawnee KS, and Paola KS. A lifelong Catholic, she had a tremendously strong faith and spent hours each day praying for her loved ones and anyone who was in need. She played the piano beautifully, was a wonderful seamstress, a prolific crocheter, and an enthusiastic sports fan. Loretta and Ray cherished the years spent traveling the country to attend their kid’s and grandkid’s activities and celebrations. In her later years Loretta loved to talk with them on the phone and was certain to know who was playing what sport or other activity, and which family was traveling where.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Margaret Barrett, her sister, Mary Ellen, and her brothers-in-law, Keith Young and Dick Smith. She was the beloved wife of Ray Colwell; dearest mother of Sheila (Jeff) Priebe, Colleen (John) Hooley, Mike (Lori Jo) Colwell, Kate (Kevin) Horst, John (Barb) Colwell, Maureen (Paul) Scarrella, Kevin (Suzanne) Colwell, Tim (Ricardo Torres) Colwell, and Tricia (Chris) Kerr; proud grandmother of Becky (Thom) Peer, Michael (Katie) Priebe, Ben (Laurie) Hooley, Meghan (Brian)Scelfo, Ryan Hooley, Danielle Colwell, Shivohn (Drew) Silber, Patrick (Erin) Horst, Danny (Carla) Horst, Brian Horst, Sarah Colwell, Joe (Marcela) Colwell, Nick (Ali) Colwell, Tim Colwell, Kevin (Rachel) Scarrella, Jenny (Matt) Vos, Katey Colwell, Kelley Colwell, John Colwell, Jack Kerr, Colleen Kerr, Will Kerr, and Brigid Kerr; and proud great-grandmother of 33. She is also survived by her sister, Betty, her sister-in-law, Bonnie, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral and celebration of life will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 611 South 3rd Street, Stillwater, MN at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 2, with a visitation one hour prior to the service in the church atrium. Private interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  The service can be accessed live at https://www.facebook.com/StillwaterCatholics/videos/ .

Memorials may be sent to the charity of your choice, the St. Croix Catholic School Scholarship Fund, or Valley Outreach Food Shelf of Stillwater in honor of Loretta Colwell.