Colleen P. Malek, age 83 of Miles City, passed away on January 19, 2014 at the Friendship Villa in Miles City.
Colleen was born on March 2, 1930 in Miles City; the daughter of Claude & Violet (Stepper) Pickard. The family lived in Sumatra, Mildred, Plevna, Ismay and Harlowton where Colleen graduated as the Valedictorian of her class. After graduation, she attended the University of Montana for one year. Colleen worked various secretarial jobs throughout the next few years eventually taking a position with the V.A. Hospital.. Colleen was with the V.A. Hospital for over thirty years, receiving several awards for her hard work until she retired there at the age of 55. Colleen married Craig “Scotty” MacKenzie and to this union her only child Larry was born. She later married Dewey Malek. Colleen was an exceptional listener and always had time to visit with her friends and family. During her retirement years she enjoyed music, dancing, playing Bonco, and interacting with her many friends.
Colleen is survived by two sisters: Alice (Marlyn) Janssen of Miles City, Vena Fitzgerald of Sedro Woolley, WA., and sister in law Mildred Pickard of Casper, WY; her nephews: Duane (Debbie) Maier of Miles City, Doug (Judy) Maier of Chandler, AZ; Bill Janssen of Volborg, MT, Larry (Janet) Janssen of Camarillo CA, Wayne Janssen of Bakersfield CA, Mark (Lanae) Pickard of Casper WY, Thomas (Julie) Pickard of Houston TX, Pat Tracy of Seattle WA, Steve and Dean Pickard of Austin TX, her nieces include Laurie (Duane) Claypool of Miles City, Linda (Terry) Saylor of Keizer OR., Marilyn (Paul) Barella of Casper WY., Lori (Fred) Smith of Oak Harbor, WA., Julie Tasakos and Debbie (Phil) Merrell of Seattle, WA, Connie (Dale) Merrell of Boise, ID, Kathy Tracy of Sedro Woolley WA., and Allison Pickard of Denver CO.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Larry MacKenzie, her brothers Bill and Claude Pickard; sister Betty Maier and nephew Dennis Pickard.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014 from 1p.m. to 6 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow at a later date in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday January 26, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday January 27, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Reception
Following the funeral service
Monday January 27, 2014
The Parlor
1806 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday January 26, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday January 27, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Reception
Following the funeral service
Monday January 27, 2014
The Parlor
1806 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
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Ed and Becky Gergen says
Colleen Malek worked in Personnel Service at the Miles City VA for a number of years. She was such a nice lady and always had a smile for everyone when they entered her office. I wish I knew that she was back in Miles City I would have visited her and talked about the old VA days. There are many good memories about this lady.
Marilyn Frize says
Colleen was one of my first great mentors in the early years working at the VA, I learned so much from her. She was one of the most professional, knowledgeable, conscienceous women I had the pleasure to work with. The level of integrity she displayed daily was an inspiration to me. I will forever have fond memories of our years together.
Shannon Holmen says
What a wonderful reunion it must be for Colleen and Larry. She was a bright spot at Cottonwood and everywhere she landed. I will miss her too.
Mary Rose Bovee says
I was sad to read about Colleen. I did her hair at Cottonwood Care. I quit doing hair the last of June. I saw her at Kacey’s wedding ..told me how much she missed me ! I missed her too ! She was such a lovely person. She will be missed.
Lillian Eggen Frasier says
Colleen was my neighbor when we both lived in Casa Village Mobile home park in Billings. She was kind, fun, and a beautiful lady inside and out. I will always keep Colleen in my memory as a great friend.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Colleen P. Malek – May you find comfort in your loving memories, beautiful pictures and in recalling the many talents of Mrs. Malek. It was not the Creator’s purpose that mankind suffer and die. God has promised that a time will come when no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 33:24). In the Bible we are promised a resurrection of dear family members and friends that we have lost (John 5:28, 29). I hope you are comforted by Bible promises of a hopeful future (John 17:3).
Donna Sweeney says
It pleased me to see the picture you chose for Colleen’s obituary. I remember, fondly, taking that picture at Christmas time in the Rimrock Mall. We would have coffee at the mall every Thursday after her hair appointment. What fun memories. Treasured memories continued while she lived at St John’s Chapel Court in Billings.
I consider it a blessing for Colleen and I to have shared a close friendship while we both lived in Billings and wished her health could have allowed her to be more active. She did the best she could.
My sympathies to the entire family. You all meant the world to her. I am so sorry that I will not be in Montana to attend her service. My heart will be there.
Pam (Moths) Nisley says
To Colleen’s loved ones~
I wish I had really known her like all of you. I was blessed to meet her, when Alice Janssen was spending time with her at Cottonwood Care. It is obvious by the many memories shared by others, that Colleen was a woman with characteristics that we would all be wise to model 🙂 I am praying for all of you to experience the peace of Jesus Christ in the time of this great loss. I care~