Colleen Grace Heinz entered peacefully into eternal rest at the Josie Harper Hospice House, in Omaha, Nebraska, Friday, July 31, 2026. She had been at the C.L Werner Cancer Hospital, at the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
Colleen was born February 13, 1963, in Alliance, NE to Louis and Grace (Glass) Heinz.
She graduated from Hemingford High School in 1981. Her College career started at Chadron State College and she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Teacher Education in 1986. While attending CSC she was very active in many organizations. Being involved and being a difference maker was always a joy for Colleen. She left her mark by being in the leadership of the CSC Student Senate, CSC Diplomats, and the Nebraska Student Education Association. After she completed her Student Teaching experience in Ogallala, NE she was selected for an internship for the Nebraska Department of Education, in Lincoln, NE.
After she graduated from CSC she was elected twice, as the National Chairperson for the National Student Education Association. Living in Virginia and working in D. C. was always a bright spot for her. She enjoyed traveling all over the country talking to college students about teaching and sharing her passion for the National Education Association.
She received her Masters of Art, in Educational Psychology, from the University of Northern Colorado, in 1990. During her time there she was involved in many research projects.
Her teaching career began in Fort Morgan, CO. She taught elementary music for 20 years. While in Fort Morgan she was always active with the local Fort Morgan Education Association and held various leadership roles. She was also very active with the Colorado Education Association. Colleen was elected to several state and national committees and boards. She was elected to several terms as the Colorado Education Association Secretary/Treasurer. Her final CEA office, she was elected as the first Colorado full-time release Vice President, for CEA.
When she stepped away from teaching she became the WCCU UniServ Director out of Grand Junction, CO, advocating for teachers on the western slope of Colorado.
Colleen’s last position was with the Iowa State Education Association, in Des Moines, IA, as the Teaching and Learning Specialist. She was also the advisor for the Iowa State Student Education Association and ISEA Aspiring Ed. Colleen truly enjoyed working with the students and passing on her knowledge.
She was proceeded in death by her father Louis Anton Heinz and mother Grace Nellie Glass Heinz; paternal grandparents Louis and Lillian Heinz; maternal grandparents Mary Alice Doak Glass and Arthur Raymond Glass.
Colleen is survived by her sister Michele L Heinz Larsen and brother-in-law Steven J Larsen; and nieces Kate (Cody) Henschke, Avlynn Larsen, and Antonia Larsen.
Colleen loved her family and friends. Traveling and being on the go was her enjoyment in life and watching movies. Her little sister was blessed to be able to travel to so many places with her and passed that joy on to the next generation. Colleen was a steadfast advocate for public education and excellence in education. She touched many lives and she will be missed.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hemingford United Methodist Church. Pastor Suyeol Bay will officiate. Burial will follow in Hemingford Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home in Hemingford on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Memorials may be given to the donor’s choice.