Colleen Chance

March 14, 1933 – February 1, 2021

Colleen Whittenbaugh Chance (known as Coke to her family and many of her friends) was born March 14, 1933 in Rural Burdette, Colorado to Helen and Gayle Whittenbaugh. She died February 1, 2021 at her home in Carlyss, Louisiana at the age of 87.

The middle of three sisters, Colleen grew up and attended a country school near her father’s ranch outside of Sterling, Colorado. She attended Sterling High School and graduated with a bachelors degree in Business Education from Colorado State College of Education (now the University of Northeastern Colorado) in Greeley.

While at college in Greeley she met her husband Rodney Chance. They were married August 1, 1954. After graduating, Colleen started her teaching career at a one room country school in Abarr, Colorado and the next year moved into the Yuma school system. She later taught at the Army military school in Sasebo, Japan while Rodney was stationed there in the Navy, and after returning to Yuma she taught and substituted in the Yuma schools.

In 1965 she joined Rodney fulltime in the printing business. In 1973 the family moved to Southwestern Louisiana where she and Rodney contracted the printing for Delta Downs Racetrack when it opened until they retired in 1998 after 25 years at the track.

Colleen enjoyed working in the yard and spending time with her family and friends. She especially enjoyed the summers spent with family and friends back in Colorado. In her later years after health issues severely impacted her mobility, Colleen stayed connected through the phone sharing countless laughs with her sisters and sisters in law.

Colleen was a loving wife, mother, friend, teacher, and her favorite role – grandmother. She loved to tell stories about her childhood growing up on the ranch, her time in Japan, and the many students she taught. Another favorite pastime was correcting her kids and grandkids grammar.

Those left to remember and celebrate her life include her husband of 66 ½ years, Rodney; daughter Julie Chance of Dallas, TX; son Randy Chance (Kara) of Magnolia, TX; grandson Reese Chance of Belton, TX; and granddaughter Kassidy Chance of Wichita, KS; sisters in law Mari Le Hartwig and Margie Chance both of Yuma, CO; cousin Gloria Phillips (Tyson) of Sterling CO; seven nieces and nephews and their families scattered across the country; and countless other family and friends in both Colorado and Louisiana.

Colleen was proceeded in death by her parents, Gayle and Helen Whittenbaugh; her two sisters Lois Jean Schlegel and Lila Lee McFarland and their husbands; brothers in law Roger Chance and Keith Hartwig; and her nephew Dave Orton.

Honoring Colleen’s wishes, there will be no service. Memorials may be made to Henning Memorial United Methodist Church in Sulphur, the First United Presbyterian Church in Yuma, or the charity of your choice.