Colleen Louise Werner, born in Richmond, IN on December 8, 1930, passed away at Friends Fellowship on February 20, 2026 at the age of 95. She was the daughter of Frederick William and Flora Kramer Blickwedel. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1949 and furthered her education at Ball State University having graduated in 1953. She was a member of the Pi Zeta Sorority. During the summers Colleen worked as a waitress at the Indiana Dunes State Park lodge.

Colleen met the love of her life, Henry, in October 1952 at a square dance but also knew of him as both families were members of St John Lutheran Church. They married in June, 1954, and together raised two sons, Eric Alan and Richard (Dick) Frederick. They moved in March of 1956 to their home of 60 years on Liberty Avenue, built by Henry and his brothers. Upon Henry's passing in 2016, she spent her remaining years at Friends Fellowship Community having moved there in July, 2017'.

After raising her sons, Colleen worked as a substitute teacher and obtained her Masters Degree from Ball State University in 1971. She became a fourth grade teacher at Rose Hamilton in Centerville retiring in 1991 from that role after 20 years.

Church was an important component of Colleen's life. She was a lifelong Lutheran and an active member of St John Lutheran for nearly 70 years and a member of St Paul Lutheran since 2000'. She sang in the church choirs, taught Sunday School, and served on various committees.

Colleen and Henry loved to travel and visited nearly all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Their travels included Canada, the Caribbean and Panama Canal as well as many European countries, most notably Germany which was the homeland of both their ancestors. Summer weekends were spent camping at Whitewater State Park with many Richmond friends. Numerous trips were made to Ann Arbor to visit extended family and to Frankenmuth, MI for the polka festivals as well as trips to visit nephews at the Outer Banks of NC.

Colleen's interest in the community involved volunteering at Reid Hospital for over 30 years as well as the Community Food Pantry and Meals On Wheels. She was also involved with her RHS class reunions and working at the election polls. She enjoyed her time spent knitting and studying the genealogy of the Blickwedel and Werner families, but most of all, she was an avid competitor and loved playing cards. She rarely ever turned down a card game!

Among her greatest joys was her time spent with her three granddaughters and four great grandsons. Many memories were made playing board games, cards, holiday traveling, and going to the DQ.

Survivors include her son Eric and wife Deborah of Indianapolis, three granddaughters, Elizabeth Ashley Archer (Ryan) of Edinburg, In., Lauren Louise Griswold of Zionsville, In., Allison Pauline Werner of Indianapolis, In., four great grandsons Eli, James, Eric, and Maxwell; two brothers in law, Bill Werner (Venna) of Richmond, Adolph (Ott) of Richmond, two sisters in law, Ruth Ann Werner Carter (Bill) of Richmond, and Marilyn Werner Adkins (John) of Richmond; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Henry, son Richard, sisters Rosemary Hunt Cox and Janet Bartlemay, brother Ted Blickwedel and numerous brothers and sisters in law.

Visitation for Colleen Werner will be held Thursday, February 26 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Riggle Waltermann Mortuary in Richmond. The funeral service will be held on Friday, February 27 at 11am with visitation one hour prior at St Paul Lutheran Church in Richmond. Burial will follow at Lutherania Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Paul Lutheran Church or the Richmond Community Food Pantry. Condolences may be sent to the Werner family at http://www.rigglewaltermann.com .

The family would like to thank the nursing staff, both past and present, of Friends Fellowship Community for their loving care and the attentive staff of AseraCare Hospice.