Colleen Marie Polson's Obituary
Colleen Marie Polson, 92, of Welch, Oklahoma, passed away Sunday, January 1st, 2023 after a brief stay at the Heartsworth Nursing and Rehab in Vinita.
She was born November 22nd, 1930, in Altamont, Kansas to Fred Day Cottengim and Ola M. (McKinney) Cottengim.
Colleen was next to the youngest of four sisters, Edith Fox, Irene Morton, Colleen, and Rosemary Woolard.
Her father died at a young age leaving Colleen's mother and sisters on their own. They lived in southeast Kansas before coming to Welch to live with Ola's brother, Herman McKinney's family, in a large house west of Welch.
Colleen's mother, Ola, worked for the B.F. Goodrich tire plant in Miami for twenty years.
Colleen attended Welch High School. She married Billy (Bill) Edward Polson, of Welch, on October 6th, 1950. They lived in Miami for a short time. A son, Gary Ray Polson, was born to them in 1951.
They moved to Welch and eventually settled into a house on the east edge of Welch in 1955, and remained there the rest of their lives.
Colleen supported Bill's efforts as he worked for B.F. Goodrich, ran cattle, raised quail and pigeons, trained bird dogs, maintained a large garden, raised horses, tended to his pecan trees, had a beautiful iris bed, metalworking, worked for the Neill feedlot, then volunteered at Show Me Birds, a hunting resort.
Through the years, the family cared for graves of family and friends in area cemeteries, with special efforts made near Memorial Day.
In the 1980's and 1990's, Colleen assisted her son Gary in recording genealogy of the Polson and Cottengim families and always enjoyed learning about her ancestors.
Colleen worked as a cook for the Welch School System for a period of time, was a longtime member of the Welch Methodist Church, enjoyed reading, rodeos, dogs, gardening, visiting with friends about the old days, creating designs on sweat shirts, and chatting with those who brought her a meal from time to time. And, wearing colorful clothing. All the time while encouraging her son, Gary.
Colleen contacted a well-known Arkansas wildlife artist and provided some suggestions for painting more life like dogs. Our families became like friend, and the lady went on to create several prints featuring Collen and Bill's dogs, one of which was featured nationally by Purina.
Her husband, Bill, preceded her in death on March 16th, 2012.
Colleen is survived by her son and daughter in law, Gary and Lora (Hughes) Polson of Stillwater, OK; one sister, Rosemary Woolard and husband Richard of Miami, OK; along with several lifetime friends in the area.
Services will be held at the Thomas & Chenoweth Funeral Home on Friday, January 6th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Greg Highsmith, a longtime friend of the family, will officiate.
A brief graveside service will be held immediately afterwards at the Welch Cemetery.
Attendees are encouraged to wear something bright as we celebrate the life of Colleen.
What’s your fondest memory of Colleen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Colleen?
Share a story where Colleen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Colleen you’ll never forget.
How did Colleen make you smile?