Colleen R. (Minehan) Alexander

Colleen R. Alexander passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on June 26, 2025.  Colleen was proceeded in death by her father, Cornelius Minehan and her mother, Juliette De Valland, as well as her sisters, Anita, Margaret, Eileen and Mary, and brother William, and longtime companion, Thomas E. Collentine.

Colleen was a proud daughter of her immigrant parents who courageously came to America from Bantry Bay, Ireland and Rouquemont le Chateau, France.  They settled in Lake Geneva where they raised their family and instilled a love for this country.

Colleen was a life long resident of Lake Geneva, and loved her community.  She diligently served as City Clerk for 41 years, and did so with commitment and grace, considering it a great honor and privilege.  Whenever there were questions about city business, she was considered the authority.

Colleen was a loving mother who raised Colleen Mary and Robert Charles, and dedicated herself to them.  She instilled in them the very qualities she embodied – empathy, compassion, generosity, a sense of humor, and above all else, a loving heart.  She provided them with every opportunity to succeed in life, and stressed the importance of a good education.  Her family grew when Robert and daughter-in-law, Cynthia, welcomed their sons, Robert Charles III and Zachery Edwin.  Colleen was a doting grandmother who delighted in their company and reveled in their accomplishments.  With Robert III’s marriage to Reah she became a great grandmother to Reidyn Eve and Robyn Colleen, a blessing she cherished.

Colleen enjoyed spending her leisure time with Tom at their “hobby farm”.  Together they relaxed in the quiet and peace of the countryside while gradually restoring the farm house, planting vegetable gardens, and erecting a towering windmill.  But they shared their love of the farm by holding various celebrations, specifically annual Thanksgiving dinners that are a part of family lore and many great memories.  She demonstrated her quirky and eccentric side when she decided to raise a small herd of llamas, and then named them after various family members.  Colleen loved attending her high school reunions and couldn’t resist a St. Paddy’s Party – she danced a mean jig!  She was also an avid Packer Backer and a rabid Marquette University Men’s Basketball fan.

Colleen was a devout Catholic and parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Church.  She and her beloved sister, Mary, regularly volunteered to assist in various church activities.  She had a deep and abiding faith in the teachings of Jesus Christ, and exemplified his love, generosity, kindness, and forgiveness throughout her life.

Colleen will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, devoted companion, and loyal   friend to all whose lives she touched.  She had a warm, gentle smile, an easy, cute laugh, and twinkle in her eyes.

Colleen is survived by her daughter, Colleen A. Mitchell, son, Robert C. Alexander, Jr. (Cynthia), adopted daughter Anna M. Nakashima, grandsons Zachary Edwin Alexander, and Robert Charles Alexander III, his wife, Reah, great granddaughters, Reidyn Eve and Robyn Colleen, grand dog daughter, Chatty, and various nephews and nieces and their families.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the American Cancer Society in her name.

Funeral Service for Colleen will be held on Thursday July 3, 2025 at 2:00pm in the main chapel of Derrick Funeral Home.  There will be short visitation prior to the service on July 3 starting at 1:00pm.

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Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is honored to be assisting Colleen's family.

American Cancer Society
P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City OK 73123
Tel: 1-800-227-2345
Web: http://www.cancer.org