Colleen G. Harmsen, age 48, of North Fond du Lac, died Tuesday, September 27, 2011, after fighting a courageous five year battle with cancer. Colleen was born July 18, 1963 in Waupun, Wisconsin the daughter of Alvin and Doris (Veenendaal) Harmsen. She attended Waupun High School and later received her nursing degree from Fox Valley Technical College. Colleen worked for over 10 years as a psychiatric nurse at Winnebago County Mental Health Institute in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Following her dream, she moved to Hawaii in 2002, and lived there for six years. While in Hawaii, she had worked as a psychiatric nurse at a State Hospital in Kona, Hawaii. Colleen enjoyed spending time with her fiancé Kenny Bousman. They loved spending time on the beaches of Hawaii as Colleen collected seashells and Kenny surfed. Colleen had a love for all of God's creations, including animals. . She moved back to Wisconsin in 2008. She was a dedicated member of AA, Oshkosh and celebrated 16 years of sobriety in December of 2010.

Colleen is deeply loved and will be missed by her parents of Waupun; daughter, Carmen (Darrell) Ortiz of Naperville, IL; grandson, Alexander Preston Ortiz; sisters, Barbara (Mark) Jahnke of Waupun and their children, Hannah and Jacob, Cherie (Tom) Vande Zande of Rosendale and their children, Owen and Hattie; her cat, Brody; other relatives and many friends.

Colleen was preceded in death by her fiancé Kenneth Bousman, her grandparents; Aunt Arlene and Uncle Jim.

A memorial service will be held Saturday October 1, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. at Grace Reformed Church, 163 18th Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A memorial in Colleen's name is being established.

The family would like to thank Pat and the rest of the staff at Aurora VNA for the excellent care given to Colleen and the rest of her family.

Fox Cities Funeral &
Cremation Services
3026 Jackson Street
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 966-9000
www.foxcitiesfuneral.com