Colleen M. Burquest, age 88, of Parkers Prairie, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the St. William's Living Center in Parkers Prairie.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, December 5, 2025, at Esther Lutheran Church in Eastern Township with Synod Authorized Minister, Jewel Townsend officiating. Music is provided by organist, Marcia Guenther. Colleen will be joining her husband at the Lakeview Cemetery in Nowthen, Minnesota, at a later date.

A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church.

Colleen Marie was born on August 20, 1937, to Giles and Ellen (Olson) Connors in Minneapolis. She was baptized at the Church of Ascension on October 10, 1937. She was raised in the Twin Cities area and attended local schools before the family moved to Elk River, where she graduated from Elk River High School in 1955. After graduation, she worked for Ewald Bros. Dairy in Robbinsdale, where she met her future husband. Colleen married Wilbur Burquest on February 2, 1957, at St. John’s Lutheran Parish House near Nowthen. The couple lived briefly in Robbinsdale before settling in Brooklyn Park and starting their family. Once all the children were in school, Colleen followed them—putting her strong organizational skills to work in various secretarial roles within the school system and later at State Farm Insurance. In 1984, just a year before their youngest graduated, the family purchased a farm near Rose City. Colleen continued to share her talents, serving as church secretary at First Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie for more than 20 years. She always kept busy with sewing and knitting, and in her younger years made many of her children’s clothes. She and Wilbur enjoyed going on bus tours, which she loved, but above all else, family was the most important part of her life. Sports were her anchor to her children and grandchildren. She followed their activities closely, both in person and from afar, keeping track not only of their teams but even their opponents. Colleen and Wilbur made several moves before settling into their final home at St. William’s. After Wilbur’s passing in 2022, Colleen continued to flourish, embracing the activities and relationships she built there. She was deeply loved by her family and all who knew her, and she will be dearly missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wilbur; infant son, Jimmy; daughter, Kathy; and brother, Robert Connors.

Colleen is survived by her three children, Tom (Joan) Burquest of Rose City, Tim (Elizabeth) Burquest of Roseville, and Krystal (David) Marso of Battle Lake; 10 grandchildren, Erin (Brian) Krueger, Matthew Burquest, Kathryn (Hunter) McDaniel, Abby Burquest, Frank Burquest, Joey Burquest, Adam Marso, Dan Marso, Emily Marso, and Allison Marso; six great-grandchildren, Sam, Joanna, Eliza, Bennett, Evie Krueger, and Natalee McDaniel; sister-in-law, Alice Connors; along with many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Serving as urn bearers are her grandsons, Matthew Burquest, Frank Burquest, Adam Marso, and Dan Marso. Honorary urn bearers are her remaining grandchildren.