MENDOTA – Colleen Zinke, 96, of Mendota, passed away March 30, 2025, at Stonecroft Village in Mendota.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 4 at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Compton with Pastor Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery in Mendota.

Colleen was born Sept. 24, 1928, in Jefferson County, Ill., to Newton and Anna (Jones, Lee) Boykin. Colleen’s faith began at a very early age listening to her father read Bible stories and attending the local Baptist church every Sunday. She married Harold W. Zinke on Feb. 5, 1950, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she was a member for over 75 years.

She is survived by her daughter, Sheila (Bruce) Bradley of Gordon, Wis.; son, Michael (Linda) of Amboy; four grandchildren, Douglas (Lisa) Smith, Joshua Zinke, Lance Smith and Marci Zinke; four great-grandchildren, Hunter and Hannah Smith, and Nathan and Isabella (Ivy) Schoditsch.

Colleen was preceded in death by her husband; infant daughter, Marsha; and brothers, Eldred (Bud) Lee of Greeley, Colo., and Glenn Boykin of Hampton, Va.

Colleen loved spending time with her family, making clothes for her children and grandchildren, mowing the lawn, enjoying the beautiful fall colors, watching sunrises and sunsets. She also loved working in the fields, which she did beside her husband until her son, Mike, and his wife, Linda, took over. She loved to travel across the United States with her family and later enjoyed trips with her husband, including two trips to Europe.

Colleen worked at Westclox in LaSalle, Holdenrid’s Shoes in Mendota and as a receptionist at R&R Ford in Mendota. She volunteered 20 years at Mendota Community Hospital (OSF Medical Center) on the floor, gift shop and immunization clinic.

She was actively involved at Immanuel teaching Sunday School, Bible School, Church Council, president and treasurer of mission action in WERCA, quilting group, Northern Illinois Synod Women Central Conference. Colleen founded the Windfarm Red Hatters with women from Compton, Paw Paw and Mendota area. She was an active member of the PTA and the Canteen Board.

Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Compton, Ill.