Maureen Anne Colwell

Maureen Anne Colwell, 75, of Appleton passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Maureen was born on May 2, 1950 in Green Bay to Francis J. and Ruth A. (McWey) Vanderheyden. After her mother Ruth passed, she was raised by her devoted step-mother Doris Vanderheyden (Keiffer). She was a graduate of Green Bay Southwest High School.

On September 20, 1973 she married Frank A. Colwell. Frank and Maureen moved out to Freedom, WI where they raised their family and where Maureen enjoyed keeping a large garden. She was an enthusiastic crafter, always busy being creative and loved to share her skills with anyone who wanted to learn. They spent the last 20 years in Sherwood, WI with their much loved dog Sadie Rose and their two cats Muffy and Spice.

In 2015, she retired from her position with the OBGYN department at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, where she loved interacting with all the expecting mothers.

Maureen is survived by her husband: Frank Colwell Sr: her three children: Heather (Heath) Anderson, Amy (Justin) Collins, and Frank Colwell Jr.; grandchildren: Hattie and Heston Anderson,

Fred Colwell, Henry, John, and Charles Collins; brothers: Frank (Karen) Vanderheyden; Mike McWey; sister: Sue (Fred) Streckenbach; and brothers-in-law: Alan (Linda) Colwell and John (Linda) Colwell. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Maureen was preceded in death by her parents: Francis and Ruth Vanderheyden, her stepmother Doris Vanderheyden: her sister, Gwen Vanderheyden; brothers-in-law: Hank Colwell, Jim Colwell, and Gus Colwell; sisters-in-law Vicky Colwell, Lori Colwell, and Jan McWey.

A funeral service to celebrate Maureen’s life will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 11:00 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 309 Desnoyer Street, Kaukauna, with Rev. Sudha Sivvam officiating. Relatives and friends can greet the family on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at the church from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am. Maureen will be laid to rest at Fort Howard Cemetery at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lyndahl.com

in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Dementia Society of America

A special Thank you to the wonderful staff at Primrose Assisted Living and Silverstone Memory Care who helped the family care for her during her illness.

The Lyndahl Funeral Home is assisting the Colwell family with arrangements.

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