Colleen M. Wenk

Colleen Wenk, 67, of Green Bay passed away March 29, 2021 after a very long, courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She made the best of every single day, after first receiving her cancer diagnosis in 1988.

She was born in Green Bay on April 8, 1953 to Patrick (Jim) and Darline O'Connor. Colleen graduated from Carroll College where she met the love of her life, John. They married on October 11, 1975 and shared many common interests over 45 plus years, including tennis and travel to see many of our national parks and waterfalls. They enjoyed going to concerts, UWGB women's basketball, and most of all biking. Favorite destinations included Mackinac Island, Minocqua, Las Vegas, and Kiawah Island.

In addition to her devoted husband John, she is survived by her mother Darline O'Connor, with whom she had a very special relationship, beloved sister Erin O'Connor and brother Tim O'Connor of Green Bay, and brothers Patrick and Dan O'Connor; sister- and brother-in-law Karen and Larry Smith of Eden Prairie, MN; nephew Colin (James) Puzo Smith and niece Laura (Alex) Smith of Washington, D.C., whom she considered the children she never had; and step mother-in-law Carolyn Wenk of California.

She was preceded in death by her father Jim O'Connor and father- and mother-in-law Robert and Virginia Wenk.

Colleen began her career teaching exercise classes at NWTC and later transitioned to a career in custom picture framing, specializing in cross stitch. She was an expert cross stitch artist herself, and her family and friends treasure their gifts of framed cross stitch and personal mementos, signed by Colleen.

Colleen and John would like to thank the many friends and family who supported them during their long journey. Special thanks to the dedicated caregivers of Unity Hospice and her excellent doctors, Dr. James McGovern, Dr. Jerry Winkler, and Dr. Paul Schmitz.

A loving celebration of Colleen's life will be held at a later time. To leave an online condolence please visit www.newcomergreenbay.com