Colleen Rose Mendenhall age 63 passed away from natural causes on August 3, 2025. She was born on October 23, 1961 to Calvin John "Jack" and Barbara Jean (Petroskey) Kelly. She grew up on the Old Mission peninsula on the family farm where she developed her love of the outdoors, plants and animals.

Colleen had a "green thumb" and the ability to "save" just about anything indoors or out.  Some folks rescue animals, she rescued plants and made them flourish.

She also had a deep love of animals and would be completely devastated when losing a beloved pet. Growing up, a kindly neighbor allowed her to "share" their horses which was something she always cherished.

She was born a mix of Irish and Polish which made for a saucy combination of joy, playfulness, fierce loyalty and love, with a bit of stubbornness mixed in.  It's why people were drawn to her. If you were in her inner circle, you were lucky.  She was friends with many people, but only chose a few to keep close.  Regardless of your closeness though, if you were her friend, there wasn't anything she (and Dan) wouldn't do to help you out, cheer you on, or lift you up if you needed, and console you without judgement.

Colleen loved her family fiercely. You didn't have to be her child to be family.
She had a wonderfully innate sense of humor, and was always ready with a joke. She was very playful and quick witted.

As a child Colleen attended Old Mission Elementary School, later moving on to St. Francis and finally graduating from Traverse City Senior High (Central) in 1979.

After graduation, she worked several different jobs including the local K-Mart. This is where she met the love of her life Dan Mendenhall. He was her world and she his.  They were married soon thereafter and began a wonderful journey that included 3 children, 3 grandchildren and many, many memories.

Later Colleen and Dan both worked at Alcotec where they both would retire.
Colleen will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, especially her husband Dan of 42 years, her children, and her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by both sets of GrandParents, and Parents and numerous Aunts and Uncles,

She is survived by her loving husband Dan, daughter Samantha (Mendenhall) and AJ Wilhelm, daughter Kimberley (Mendenhall) and Kevin Phillips, son Dan (Danny) Mendenhall, granddaughter Taylor Pauli, grandson Brenden Pauli, and granddaughter Kaleigh Pauli.  She is also survived by her brothers Terry (Connie) Kelly, and Mark Kelly, and sisters Jan (Kelly) and Darryl Abraham , Linda Kelly, and Carmen( Kelly) and Jim Sanor, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A private memorial has already taken place.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com