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Colein Hauck was born with sparkling blue eyes on September 15, 1938, to Colin and Verna Johnson. She joined her older sister Ella Marie, and three, five, and eighteen years later she welcomed a brother and then two sisters. Colein and Eddie were high school sweethearts. Ever the funny one, taking after her father, their first date included Colein sporting a fat lip from telling her father to pass the rolls and snap it up, resulting in him doing just that. A roll hit her in the mouth. When she asked why he had done it, and he said with a smirk, “You asked me to snap it up and so I did!” She began her date looking slightly damaged, and yet still, romance began. Colein graduated from White Swan High School in 1956 and moved to college at Washington State University in Pullman that fall. After obtaining credits and enjoying college life, she returned home. Colein and Eddie were married on May 29th, 1958. For sixty-seven years, they were devoted to each other until her death on October 29, 2025. In 1959, they welcomed a daughter, Rhonda, followed by two sons, David and Bradley. Colein converted to Catholicism upon marriage. No matter the church, she followed God faithfully. When death was drawing near and a soft whisper said, "Mom, God is waiting for you!" Colein, in total faith, said to Eddie, "Eddie, did you hear - God is waiting for us!" No fear of leaving the earth, but the joy of faith that God was preparing a place for her. Colein and Eddie moved to Wenatchee in 1969, where they owned Cascade Copiers, and she supported the business any way she was able, in addition to her own career. Colein primarily worked in the medical field throughout her career, beginning at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Yakima. After moving to Wenatchee, she worked at Deaconess Hospital, then for Dr. Lynn in East Wenatchee, and lastly for Dr. Nash in Cashmere, until she had to give up her career due to poor health. As a friend expressed, her personality was one-of-a-kind; her yeses were yes and her noes were no, she was funny, had a great laugh, was fun to be around, and had a look in her eyes that demanded attention. Though she suffered from numerous complicated conditions throughout her adult life, including eventual loss of her eyesight, she embraced all the experiences she could, and her engaging laugh rang out to make us smile until the very end. Colein was a member of the Yakima Bel Canto Choir, St. Paul and St. Joseph church choirs, and the Wenatchee Sweet Adeline Quartet. Colein was a member of the Wenatchee St. Joseph Church and Our Lady of Assumption Church in Cashmere and continued attending through Covid and afterwards online. Colein was incredibly supportive of the church, whether it be as treasurer, helping with projects for the poor organizing Christmas pageants. Remodeling church restrooms needing lots of love, or as President of the Saint Francis Zavier Women’s Club, or the women's ministry activities. She was truly a woman of faith. Colein was active in supporting her children, whether it be as part of the Wenatchee Youth Circus parents, attending football games, chaperoning for various events, or with the Wenatchee Music Theatre. As the children became more independent, she and Eddie ventured into square dancing with the Cascade Twirlers, traveling throughout the state and to Penticton, Canada for a square dance convention. They made many wonderful friends dancing, and oh, those outfits. Colein loved to bake cinnamon rolls for Christmas, pies, cookies for family or friends, or Cherry O cream pie. She loved to knit, crochet, and try all the newest craft projects until her hands quit cooperating. Colein enjoyed entertaining and insisted on the perfect table presentation to enhance the event, whether it be for family or friends. She made it clear there was a correct bowl or plate to display every dish. Throughout their devoted marriage, Colein was incredibly supportive of Eddie’s love of fishing and hunting endeavors, which also included family camping as well. She deeply cared for her many friends, whether it was from elementary, high school, church, work, or square dancing. Once a friend of Colein, always a friend. Cherished memories were created through Friday dinners, playing games, or Memorial Day camping with wonderful friends. She quickly established cherished friendships in her brief time at Avamere Assisted Living. Colein embraced the title "Nana C" and delighted in time spent with every grandchild or great-grandchild. Whether it be baking or sewing together after school or weekends, hosting sleepovers, or watching a grandchild's performance or sporting event, she treasured her time with the grandchildren. She was a devoted grandmother to each one and, through her love and steady presence, shaped their lives in immeasurable ways. Nana C created a home for all of her grandchildren where love was abundant, the rules were to be followed, and a freshly baked cookie could fix anything. Colein passed away on October 29, 2025, in her apartment at Avamere Assisted Living and was lovingly supported by her family and devoted staff. She was preceded in death by her parents, Colin E. Johnson and Verna M. Johnson, and her sisters Ella Marie Jenison, and Laurel Marie Morrow. She is survived by her beloved husband, Edward J. Hauck, her daughter, Rhonda Ann Duff (Gerry); sons, David Allen Hauck (Marie), and Bradley Joseph Hauck (Teena); brother, Whitford E. Johnson; and sister, Loralea Grey (Herb.) She survived by her much-loved seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Colein was a remarkable daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She is irreplaceable and will be missed tremendously by family and friends, but most of all, by her devoted husband. A celebration of life and reception will be on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Chapel, 625 S Elliott Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Colein’s name to Serve Wenatchee at https://www.servewenatchee.org. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guestbook at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements by Jones & Jones – Betts Funeral Home.

Tributes

Colein Hauck

September 15, 1938 - October 29, 2025