Funeral Service for Colleen F. Schatz will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday April 15, 2015 at St. Matthews Catholic Church with Father Reymond Canete officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday April 14, 2015 at Walker Funeral Home with a vigil starting at 7:00 p.m. Colleen F. Schatz, age 55, of Gillette, WY was taken from her loving family and friends after an amazing and courageous five year battle with Ovarian cancer.

Colleen Francis (Kirby) Schatz was born on September 15, 1959 to Joan and Wayne Kirby in Waukegan, Illinois. She grew up and attended elementary school at Little Fort School in Waukegan, IL. In the summer of 1972 she moved to Sheridan, WY where she attended Coffeen Elementary School, Central Middle School and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1978.

After graduation Colleen began working as a cocktail waitress at the local pool hall, The Corner Pocket and later at Sheridan College. It was the summer 1981 when the incredible love story of Colleen and Dean began. They met at Zorziko's Night Club in Buffalo, Wyoming on July 25, 1981 and they were engaged two short months later on September 15, 1981. The newly engaged couple moved to Gillette, Wy where they were married at St. Matthews Church on December 12, 1981. Colleen built her life with her soulmate Dean in Gillette and later started a family.

The couple welcomed their first daughter Tiffany in 1988, second daughter Lacy in 1990 and their son Dakotah in 1994. Colleen was destined to be a mother. She loved staying at home and raising her children. She was her children's biggest fan, attending all of their school and sporting events. Colleen never missed a chance to help in the classroom of any of her children and was looking forward to being able to do the same with her grandson.

Colleen enjoyed many things in life but Christmas was the most special time of year for her and her family. She looked forward to the annual drive to admire Christmas lights around town and listening to Christmas music.

Colleen was a beautiful person inside and out, who always put others before herself. Colleen touched the lives of everyone she met, she truly had a heart of gold. Even in her final days she was thinking of ways to thank the people who had embarked on this journey with her.

Her smile could light up a room and her humor was with her until her very last breath.

Colleen is survived by her loving husband of 33 years Dean Schatz of Gillette, WY; daughters, Tiffany Schatz and Lacy Schatz both of Gillette, WY; son, Dakotah Schatz of Gillette, WY, her adoring grandson Zaiden Jackson Schatz of Gillette; siste, Debbie (Mark) Hutchins of Sheridan, WY and many beloved friends.

A memorial has been established to benefit Heptner Cancer Center. Memorials and Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be sent via the web at www.walkerfuneralgillette.com

The Sheridan Press - Apr. 14, 2015,