Colleen Kay Dempsey July 9, 1951 – Aug 19, 2022
Colleen Kay Dempsey
OAKHURST — Colleen Kay Dempsey, daughter of Jean and Leland Means, was born July 9, 1951, in Clarinda, IA. Colleen passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Friday morning, August 19, 2022, in Oakhurst, CA, surrounded by her family and close friends. She passed away at age 71 after a long and hard-fought battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Colleen attended Villisca, Iowa community schools and graduated from Villisca High School in 1969. She was a basketball superstar in high school and held numerous records for most points scored in a game, and she held a 16’ 4.5” long jump record for many years. She furthered her education at Northwest Missouri State University and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with an emphasis in Physical Education and Health. She excelled both academically and athletically.
After moving to California with her family in 1969, Colleen worked at State Farm Insurance Companies in Santa Ana and Westlake Village. She then moved to Maryville, Missouri, attending NW Missouri State where she was a Pre-Title IX basketball “star”. After college, she moved back to California where she worked for 30 years as a Senior Meter Reader in Fresno and Oakhurst for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. She retired in 2014.
Colleen played in numerous softball and basketball leagues participated in triathlons and biathlons, enjoyed walking, running, track, athletics in general, music, dancing, reading mystery books, traveling, rooting for her beloved Kansas City Chiefs, spending time with her family and close friends, and loving on her dogs Moochie, Princess, Lacy, Miss Piggy, Androse, and Pippi, and her cats Jigsaw, Pinkie Ferrel, Bugs, Surely, Cruiser, and CamiCat.
Colleen was preceded in death by her parents Jean and Leland Means. She is survived by her spouse Rikki Alley; siblings Paula Lund, Nancy Nagle (Doug), Tom Means (Laura); and nieces and nephews Rebecca Means, Kristin Viger (Justin), Janet Franzen (Joshua), Nicholas Means, and Kyla Means; and grand nieces and nephews Blake, Siri, Penelope, Braiden, Juniper and Summerlyn; and her Aunt Dana and cousins John, Lois, Barb, Norma, Carol, Susanne, Stephanie, Eileen, and Debbie; her dear friend Deb Payne and many other lifelong close friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on October 22, 2022 at 4:00pm at Queen’s Inn by the River in Oakhurst, CA, at 41139 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644.
“You’ll never be forgotten. That simply cannot be.
As long as I am living… I’ll carry you with me.
—
So rest my Angel, be at peace, And let your soul fly free.
One day I’ll join your glorious flight… For all eternity.”
Kelly A Polley
