"Thinking of you all at this sad time, made especially sad by not being able to have all the family and friends to celebrate Coletta\'s wonderful life. Such an independent and strong woman, you will have great memories of her. I feel very privileged to have met her and known a little of her life. Heather Roberts"
In loving memory of
Coletta M. Mullin
September 14, 1922 - December 2, 2020
A private family funeral Mass for Coletta will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Whittemore with Father Edward Girres officiating. Interment will be in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery. Funeral Mass will be live-streamed on the Five Saints Catholic Community Facebook Page and will be shared on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook Page after the service. The graveside service will be live-streamed on Oakcrest Funeral Services' Facebook Page.
Coletta was born September 14, 1922 in Whittemore, Iowa, the daughter of Simon and Anna (Kollasch) Elbert, Jr. Coletta was a lifelong Whittemore resident. She attended Presentation Academy, where she graduated in 1940. After graduation, Coletta worked for A.D. Brogan Insurance Company. She later went to work for Farmer's State Bank, where she met her future husband, Francis Mullin, after he returned from World War II. Coletta and Francis were married on September 2, 1946. They were married on Labor Day so that their friends from the bank could attend. There are probably not many couples who could say they spent most of every day together, both at work and at home, but for many years Francis and Coletta worked side by side at the bank until Coletta retired in 1978, and they both seemed to enjoy their work together. After Francis retired, Coletta and Francis enjoyed traveling and spent their winters in Texas.
Coletta was a member of the Catholic Daughter's of the Americas, St. Michael's Parish, St. Michael's Rosary Society and was a huge supporter of anything Whittemore. She loved her hometown and could often be heard saying with a smile, "Only in Whittemore!" She also loved to read, and later listen to audiobooks, and most importantly to spend time with family and friends. She was a great listener and always had an encouraging word for her loved ones. Every Sunday for over twenty years, Coletta and her sister-in-law, Caroline Elbert visited friends and family members who were nursing home residents of Good Sam's and Algona Manor.
Coletta died on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Society in Algona. She was 98. The family would like to thank all of the wonderful hard-working staff at Good Sam's for their care and kindness.
She is survived by her daughters: Therese (John) Fitch, Minnetonka, MN, Donna (Mick) Holland, Mira Loma, CA, and Maureen Mullin (Frank Butera), Virginia Beach, VA. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Caroline Elbert and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Francis on November 4, 1995; infant daughter, Colleen Marie; brothers, Gerald, Leonard and Eddie Elbert; and sisters, Luella Murphy, and Alma Abbas.
Whittemore was so important to Coletta. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church in Whittemore or the Whittemore Public Library.
Tributes
"Beautiful video! My sympathy to all of you girls & your families. Many great memories of staying at your home Theresa. Love & prayers for all of you."
"Theresa, Donna, Maureen and families, sending you our sincerest sympathies and prayers on the passing of your mom. Coletta and Francis were such good neighbors and friends of mom and dad and I?m sure they are all celebrating Coletta?s great life all together now. Prayers for all of you! Tom and Linda (Muller) Froehlich. "
"Therese, Donna and Maureen, I am so sorry for the loss of your dear mom. I have wonderful memories of your parents as neighbors and friends of my mom and dad. Rest in Peace Coletta."
"Coletta was the best Aunt ever. Friendly and kind. Her soft voice always made you feel calm when visiting with her. I am glad she was with us for so many years. Remembering our trip to Ireland with her and Aunt Caroline and the best time we had with them. God Bless her and your families in this time of sorrow. "
"They have a group of gals up there now that should be able to get things discussed and hopefully settled down Thinking of you all"
"So sorry for the loss of your Mom. She was such a good friend to my aunt Mary living in Whittemore and then when they moved about a week apart to Huskamp Haven! Mary Lou Steier-Pinnekamp"