Colleen Haug

Colleen Haug, 92, of Knoxville, will have a celebration of life on Sunday, August 24,
2025, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville. Memorials
may be directed to Hope Ministries PO Box 862 Des Moines, Iowa 50304-0862
Colleen passed away peacefully on August 12 surrounded by those who loved her. Per
Colleen’s wishes, and as an act of service, her body has been donated to the University
of Iowa Medical school for research and education.
Della Colleen Kingery was born in Dunreath Iowa on Christmas Eve 1932 to Fred and
Mabel Dietrich Kingery. She was raised with her brother and three sisters on the family
farm near Coalport, Iowa, where she learned the values of family, hard work and
independence. Her local roots run deep. All sides of her family, the Kingery’s, Clarks,
Dietrich’s, and Van Gorps—settled in the Marion County area before Iowa was a state. It
seemed like she was related to almost everyone around.
Colleen loved farming. She loved being in the fields and pastures and became an
expert at riding and gentling horses.
Colleen married the love of her life Don Haug in 1950, and together they raised four
daughters: Deb, Dru, Dawn, and Danna. They spent 29 wonderful years together before
his passing.
Colleen was truly one of a kind. She had common sense and wisdom. She could be in
equal measures compassionate, fierce and stubborn. And she was as generous as she
was thrifty. Her schooling may have stopped with the KHS class of 1950, but she
earned a master’s degree in how to live a life of purpose. Humble but proud, she never
failed to seek meaning in life: Do your best. Work hard. And give back with faith and
charity. She felt a deep responsibility to serve, and that she did with an endless supply
of gumption.
She called herself a farm wife for many years, until it was pointed out that while Don
was working full time at John Deere, she was the one who chose the farms, made most
of the decisions, kept the books, and cared for the livestock. Colleen was indeed a
farmer, and a 4-H leader for many years. She, Don and the family enjoyed country life
and raising livestock. Colleen was skilled at: baking; gardening; crafts and needlework;
learned basic carpentry and wiring from beloved brother Donald and was a gifted and
competitive card player. She was a prolific quilter, as well as an avid reader.
Colleen worked many jobs throughout her life. For seventeen years she worked as a
beloved house mother at the Alpha Phi Sorority at Iowa State University. She was
honored by Alpha Phi Alumni for the Plaza of Heroines at ISU, and she still receives
many cards and letters from her “girls.”
Colleen always sought to do what’s right. She first attended church as a child when she
heard music coming from Coal Ridge Church near the Kingery farm and rarely missed a
Sunday service for the rest of her life. A lifelong and daily student of the Gospel and
follower of Jesus, Colleen aimed to serve a higher law. Many a pastor learned not to
underestimate the kindly little lady listening in the pew who knew her scripture well.
Colleen was a valued member and leader at many churches of various denominations.
She asked herself on a regular basis “What am I here for? And “How can i do
something good for someone today?” And she encouraged others to do the same.
Persistently.
Yes, Colleen walked the walk. She was a giver. No matter how large or small her
paychecks, she tithed. Not too long ago the CEO of an Iowa charity made a personal
visit to meet the lady who had been donating to her shelter for decades. She asked
about the reasons for her giving. Colleen told her that the charity was there for a close
friend’s child when they needed it most. Many times, Colleen would send off a check to
suffering strangers that she read about in the news.
Colleen could solve any mystery and spot a phony a mile away—in books, on shows, or
in real life. She always brightened the corner where she was—paint and soap doesn’t
cost much, she liked to say. For the last twenty-five years or so, she has maintained an
amazing garden of flowers, bushes, plants and trees in her yard on West Montgomery
Street.
Colleen’s determination led her to overcome any obstacles in her way. She lost her
beloved husband Don before she was fifty, and she was heartbroken when daughter
Dru passed away two years ago. Colleen endured multiple back surgeries, a failing
heart, broken bones and finally both hips. And yet no matter what challenges she faced,
she always persevered.
She treasured her family, friends, and neighbors, and will be missed by many both near
and far. She would want you to do make the most of each day, and to always do for
others.
Colleen is survived by her daughters: Deb (Joe) Nugent, Dawn Haus, Danna (Kevin)
Cook; grandkids: Stacie (Ray) Hansen, Kelly Nugent, Paul (Sarah) Galeazzi, Hali (Ian)
McDiarmid, Sophia (Hudson) Knott, Camille (Miles) Cook-Menster; great grandkids:
Jacob, Grant, Anna, Sutton, Lily; son-in-law, Kip Dolder; sister, Esther Breen; and many
other friends and extended family.
She is preceded by her husband, Don Haug; daughter, Dru Dolder; siblings: Donald
Kingery, Fredene Ravera, Marceline Nichols and her parents.