ANTOINETTE M. COLSON

Dec. 13, 1922 - Dec. 4, 2007

Antoinette (Toni) Colson of Green Valley and formerly of Minneapolis, Minn., passed away unexpectedly from complications of Valley Fever on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007. She was preceded in death by Norm, her husband of 60 years. She was greatly loved by her children Susan (Maureen), Michael (Cindy), and Mary (Jack); and grandchildren Kayla, Zoe, and Delia.

Toni was one of six children who grew up on a farm in Central Wisconsin. She began her work life in a Johnsburg, Wis. hotel at the age of 13. She moved to Milwaukee to become a machinist during WWII and met Norm at the hotel restaurant they both worked at after the war. Toni was an amazing mother and wife, cooking delicious meals, sewing clothes for her children, and using her creativity and skills to make a special home. She ran the office and did sales for the carpet businesses she and Norm owned for over 20 years. She also worked with her good friend Don Henderson of Carpet Resources in Hopkins. Minn. until she retired. She and Norm moved to Green Valley in 2001. She was truly a ‘Jack-of-all-trades’ and excelled at whatever she did.

She loved the desert and her wonderful friends in Green Valley. She loved to be with people, was compassionate and smart, and loved to play bingo and cards. In the words of a dear friend, “When you were in the room with Toni, no matter what was happening in your life, you just felt better.” We will miss her.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 29, at 2 p.m. at the Elks Club, 2951 S. Camino Mercado in Green Valley.

Memorials may be sent to Susan G. Komen For the Cure ¨ Southern Arizona Affiliate, P.O. Box 14677 Tucson, AZ 85732-4677.