Colleen Dennis Dowis, 90 passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2017 in Loveland, CO. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday October 14, 2017 at Chaney- Reager Funeral Home with Reverend Michelle Witherspoon officiating. The service will conclude at the chapel.

Colleen was born on Oct. 12, 1926 in Longmont, CO to Esther and Barry Dennis. She died on Oct. 7, 2017 in Loveland, CO. Colleen graduated from Kit Carson H.S. in 1944 and the University of Colorado in 1949. It was at C.U. where she met and married Richard W. Dowis. After graduating, they moved to Sterling, CO and raised four daughters.

With a college degree in Physical Education/Music she used those talents throughout her life. She helped children and adults with physical disabilities in a swimming program designed to help them remain more mobile. She enjoyed playing the clarinet in The Sterling Summer Band and singing in various groups and productions.

Colleen was very brave and adventurous—nothing stood in her way and she would try anything. She got her Pilot's license in her early 50's. She enjoyed traveling overseas with her daughters and special traveling "buddies". For "fun", she loved singing with the Windsong Chapter of Sweet Adeline's, the Presbyterian Church Choir and traveling south in the winter to their beloved home in Tucson, AZ.

Colleen was an amazing artist, seamstress, and musician whose dedication to home and family was remarkable. Her girls will always treasure the many handmade things she lovingly made for them.

Colleen was preceded in death by her husband, parents, daughter Tara J. Frank, and granddaughter Molly Colleen Anderson.

She is survived by daughters, Kelley (Brad) Anderson of Estes Park, Tracey (Ken) Messick of Cheyenne and Barrie (Steve) Harms of Loveland; son-in-law Dennis Frank of Greeley; 8 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and 2 great, great grandchildren.

Gifts in her honor may be made to Halcyon Hospice and Palliative Care, P.O Box 177, Mead Co. 80542.