Colleen Bahr, age 88, of Falls City, Nebraska, passed away peacefully in her home Monday, April 5, 2021. She had been in failing health the last two years and was ready to move on to the next chapter in her amazing journey. We find solace in the fact she is now at peace and enjoying the reveille and comradery of her past friends Fern Schawang, Margie Cochran and Marceile Ankrom, hopefully, headed shopping in St. Joe or spending a night out at Camp Rulo.
Colleen grew up in the hills of Barada with her father and mother, Jake and Betty (Ray) Sailors. Betty left us early, leaving Jake to tend the local bar and become liked and well-known for his antics in a small town. Colleen worked at Frank’s Jewelry and later met Alvin, better known as “Whitey” Bahr. They were married in Troy, Kansas December 9, 1950. They made their home at Prichard corner, where Whitey made a living farming. In 1956 they began a family with Bryan Patrick and later twins in 1960 with Kevin Michael and Keith Scott. In 1964 they purchased the large historic home and old sale barn on West 14th and made this farm their cherished home for many years.
Never afraid of hard work, Colleen ran the dairy herd, milking cows, raising Norwegian Elkhound dogs as well as chickens, geese, rabbits, ducks and guinea fowl and a pig or two. She tended a large garden which provided fresh and canned produce for the table and was an incredible home cook from scratch.
Colleen was a voracious reader of literature and loved and valued her many books of history, the old west, holistic and organic nutrition and vitamins, gardening, cooking, politics and everything else from aliens to antiques. She rarely passed on an antique or trinket at any local sale or flea market. It was her passion, and she filled her home with many wonderful antiques over the years.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Jake Sailors in 1996 and Betty Ray Sailors in 1948 and husband Whitey Bahr, who passed from lung cancer in 2003. Surviving are her children, Patrick, Michael and Scott Bahr and one grand-daughter Heather Nicole Bahr, all of the Dallas and Athens, Texas area and a half-brother, Jeffrey Alan Sailors of Centerview, MO. as well as their spousal support of David Michelini, Curtis Dorian, Lisa Knisley and Colleen’s close friend Dan Obriot.
A memorial gathering will be held Sunday, April 18, 2021, from 1-4 pm at the family home at 2201 Harlan for anyone wanting to stop by. Formal services will be in a private ceremony with inurnment at Steele Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, we ask you donate to the Richardson County animal shelter or local animal shelter of your choosing. As Colleen knew, there is no better love and companionship than a dog or cat and many are in need. Please give and adopt.
