Colleen Rae Mertins, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2026 at the age of 82.
Colleen was born on December 31, 1943 to Dr. E. F. and Marva Belle (Herrick) Pirsig in Albert Lea, Minnesota and grew up with her parents in Kiester, Minnesota.
On May 25, 1962, she married Kenneth Howard Mertins of Wells, Minnesota. The couple moved to Omaha, Nebraska in August of 1971 where they raised seven children. Colleen was a homemaker and full-time mother. Later, she worked for the Omaha World Herald in distribution for 22 years.
Colleen will be remembered as a devoted wife and nurturing mother who ensured her children always felt unconditionally loved and supported. She encouraged her children in their passions and attended countless sporting events. For many years, she travelled across the Midwest as a cherished softball/baseball mom. Her children will always remember her unmistakable (and sometimes overly enthusiastic) voice from the bleachers cheering them on and, just as often, challenging calls on the field.
She will also be remembered for her love of animals, especially her cats; her admiration for nature, particularly flowers (yellow marigolds were her favorite); and her fondness for birds. In fact, keeping her birdfeeder full and following the drama of her birdfeeder provided her with small doses of daily pleasure. Additionally, Colleen loved listening to music (she had a passion for R&B, Doo-Wop, and vocal jazz) and reading.
Colleen was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Craig Mertins of Kansas City, Missouri.
Colleen is survived by her husband, Ken; her children, Shelby Mertins of Lincoln, Nebraska; Megan (Andy) Dunlap of Omaha, Nebraska and their children Emma and Aidan; Brett (Becky) Mertins of Omaha, Nebraska and their children Joe and Will; Shauna (Thomas) Erlacher of Omaha, Nebraska and their children Sebastian and Eliason; Jordan (Jessica) Mertins of Omaha, Nebraska and their children Parker and Paxton; and Blake (Phillip Bacot) Mertins of Houston, Texas.