Colleen Shumaker (Kerr)

Colleen M. Shumaker, 61, of Des Moines, Iowa, and formerly of Atlantic, died Thursday, September 3, 2020, at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, following health complications due to COVID-19.

Colleen Marie was born on July 10, 1959, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the daughter of Raymond and Mildred (Stuetelberg) Kerr. While she was a child, the family moved to Atlantic. Colleen enjoyed reading and participating in school band where she played the flute. She graduated from Atlantic High School in 1977.

Colleen married Scott Steffens on St. Patrick’s Day in 1978. The couple started a family and lived on a farm near Norway Center where they raised hogs and Colleen began gaining experience in food service at the Anita Care Center. The family later moved to Adair; then, Colleen and her children ultimately relocated to Des Moines in 1990 after separating from Scott. She was blessed with another son a few years later. In 2000, Colleen was united in marriage to William (Bill) Shumaker. Since then, she worked various jobs in food service management, customer service, and most recently was a Mary Kay consultant.

Colleen was happiest when she was with family or friends and had a pool cue in her hand. She loved spending time with family, especially during the holidays such as Christmas. Preparing food for the family and giving gifts brought her much joy. Colleen cherished any time she could attend her kids and grandkids various sporting activities, including football games, wrestling matches, and dance recitals. Anyone that knew Colleen knew there was one thing that was on her calendar every week: pool league. She was a member for over 20 years, and was captain of the Black Widows and many other teams throughout this time.

She also was a passionate Kansas City Chiefs and Iowa Hawkeye fan. Colleen loved to shop and had a keen eye for decorating, making her house a home. Colleen loved St. Patrick’s Day and looked forward to dressing in green and waking up early to celebrate it each year (although the family would tease her that she was Scottish, not Irish). Really, any time she had the chance to be out with friends and family she took it. Colleen loved coffee and never met a cold beer she didn’t like.

Colleen is survived by her children, Matthew (Jennifer) Steffens of Atlantic, Lindsey (Kenneth) Manderson of Des Moines, Natalie (Jeffry) Saltzman of Omaha, Joshua (Linda Merez) Green-Kerr of Des Moines; grandchildren, Cameron, Makynzie, Ethan, Mariah, Hailey, Quintin, Trenton, Asascia, Jaliyah, Kaylynn and Annabella; grandpuppy, Bo; siblings, Charlene (Don) Bates of Council Bluffs, Sharon (George) Hatjinos of Omaha, NE, and Ron (Marci) Kerr of Fresno, CA; and very special person in her life, William (Bill) Shumaker and his children, Benjamin, Joyce, and Amanda.

She is preceded in death by her parents and best friend, Rachel (Charlie) Blake, whom she played pool with and considered not only her best friend but “soul sister.”

Visitation with the family present will be held from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Thursday, September 10th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. A graveside service will be held following the visitation at 12:00 p.m., Thursday at the Atlantic Cemetery.

Roland Funeral Home is caring for Colleen's family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuenralservice.com.



IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Colleen Shumaker

BORN
July 10, 1959 - Colorado Springs, Colorado

DIED
September 3, 2020 - Des Moines, Iowa
At the age of 61 years, 1 month & 24 days

GRAVESIDE SERVICE
12:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Atlantic Cemetery - Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Pastor Garry DeGeest

RECORDED MUSCIAL SELECTIONS
“I’ll Call Mama” by Tim McGraw
“Come Sail Away” by Styx
“Dust in the Wind” by Kansas

CASKET BEARERS
Matthew Steffens
Joshua Green-Kerr
Jeffry Saltzman
Kenneth Manderson
Trenton Steffens
Ethan Steffens
Quintin Steffens