Colleen Joanne Garlinghouse

Colleen JoAnne Garlinghouse, age 57 passed away peacefully on September 27, 2022 at Aitkin Health Services.  Colleen was born on March 21, 1965 to Robert and Agnes (Oakland) Garlinghouse of Aitkin. She attended Aitkin Public Schools and later transferred to Brainerd Public Schools where she graduated from Special Education in 1986.  After her father passed away in 1984, Colleen remained with her mother in rural Aitkin and later moved to Deerwood.  She entered the group home system in 1999, first in a family home setting, then to N and J Homes (formerly L J Homes), in Brainerd.  “Her staff” became like sisters to her and so did her housemates.  Colleen began her employment through the organization DAC and later PA (Productive Alternatives).  They provided positive employment in the community and in-house worksites for special projects.

Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brother-in-law, Roberta and Howard Bodle; nephew, Shawn Garlinghouse and good friend, Laurie Johnson.  Also, her sweet dog, Dutchess.

Colleen is survived by her brother, Tom (Ann) Garlinghouse; sister, Nancy (Chuck) Provost; uncle, Kenny (Bernice) Oakland; nieces, Linda (Bodle) McAdams, Kathy (Mike) Bodle Barlow, Leah Bodle and Barb (Tim) Provost Collette; nephews, John (Gail Sonnabend) Bodle, Grant Garlinghouse, Michael Garlinghouse, Pat Adams, Tom (Sonia Palmer) Adams, Kevin Provost, Tom (Jodie) Provost and Brian Provost; Colleen’s family at N and J Homes, Tasch, Erica, Jenny, Vanessa, Dawn, Kelsey, and Jennifer as well as great nieces and nephews and many cousins.

Memorial services will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Cedarbrook.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be at the Diamond Lake Cemetery near Aitkin.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.