Franklin Eugene "Gene" Colle

Franklin Eugene “Gene” Colle, 101, of Hutchinson, Kansas, passed away October 25, 2024, at Wesley Towers in Hutchinson. He was born November 19, 1922, in rural Sterling, Kansas, the son of Tony and Mable Vera (Pallister) Colle. Gene has resided in Hutchinson since 2013, formerly of Sterling, and Nickerson, Kansas. He graduated from Lyons High School, Lyons, Kansas, with the class of 1940 and attended Kansas State University for two years. Gene was a dairy farmer most of his life. He served in the United States Army. Gene was a member of the Eastwood Church of Christ in Hutchinson. On December 12, 1942, Gene was united in marriage with Eleanor Maurine Ray in Sterling. Gene was inducted into the Dairy Shrine Club on February 17, 1979. Gene and Maurine received an award for Master Farmer and Homemaker in 1981. She preceded him in death on June 15, 1984. On June 1, 1985, Gene was united in marriage with Mildred M. Belden in Hutchinson. She preceded him in death on October 14, 1997. On July 27, 1999, Gene was united in marriage with Anna Margaret Wolf in Hutchinson. She preceded him in death on March 3, 2013. He is also preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Janie Colle; brother, Wayne Colle; and two sisters, Betty Carol Garey and Joyce Munson. Gene is survived by his two sons, Dennis Colle and wife Camille of Medicine Lodge, KS, and Tony Colle of Hutchinson, KS; brother, Loren Colle of rural Sterling, KS; sister, Venetta Arganbright of Valentine, NE; four grandchildren, Yvonne Burden and husband Michael of Medicine Lodge, KS, Kristina Patton of Medicine Lodge, KS, Trey Colle and wife Sarah of York NE, and Trent Colle and wife Amber of York, NE; and eight great-grandchildren, Garrett Burden, Jaycee Patton, Mayah Colle, Isabella Burden, Javen Colle, Bryce Colle, Taylen Colle, and Cynthia Shrader. Graveside service will be at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at the Sterling Community Cemetery. Memorial service will be at 1:30 P.M., Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at the Eastwood Church of Christ, Hutchinson. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Memorials may be given to Eastwood Church of Christ or Samaritan’s Purse in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

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