Ingrid "Sunny" Colling, Died May 8, 2019

Ingrid “Sunny” Colling
Died May 8, 2019

OMENA – Ingrid “Sunny” Colling, 83, of Omena, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019

at Orchard Creek Skilled Care.

Ingrid was born Dececember 14, 1935 in Highland Park, the daughter of Arthur Hilding

and Susanne (Jorgensen) Mathisen.  On November 3, 1962 in Royal Oak, she married

Richard Woodworth Colling, who preceded her in death on March 4, 1989.

Ingrid was a very caring person, who was always active in not only her children’s lives,

but in the community as well.  From 1978 until the day she passed away, Ingrid owned

the Omena Bay Country Store, where her generous nature was shared with all of her

customers.  She was also a 65-year member of the Sons of Norway, and in the 80’s,

Ingrid raised leader dogs for the blind.  All three of her dogs graduated from the course.

She is also the “grandma” of the first and fourth mayors of Omena.  

When her children were in school, she would attend their events, games, parent teacher conferences and such while still finding time to sew, knit, bake and garden.  She grew much of her own food and baked twelve loaves of bread every week.  On top of that, she also made

homemade strawberry jam, chili sauce, and canned the extra food she grew.  She was an

avid reader and loved her crossword puzzles. 

A longtime Detroit Red Wings and Tigers fan, Ingrid loved to watch sports or listen to

them on the radio.  She enjoyed the arts; taking in many concerts and performances.  She was gifted in the art of Norwegian painting known as rosemaling.

Ingrid is survived by her children, David (Sandy) Colling, Cheryl (Richard) Huffman,

Diane (Bob) Joyce, and Richard (Dana) Colling; her grandchildren, Lisa Makowski,

Dennis, Kyle, and Stefanie Colling, Tabitha (Ernie) Pearson, Jaron Huffman, Samantha

(Nick) Bronke, and Dereck Huffman, and Jack Joyce; her sister, Sylvia Wright;

brothers- in-law, Joel R. Holcombe and Sonny G. Edward, and 17 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Ingrid was preceded in death by her parents; her sister,

Marilyn Barnard and twin sister, Astrid “Bunny” Holcombe.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Immanuel

Lutheran Church in Leland, with the family greeting friends one hour prior.  The family asks that in memory of Sunny, please feel free to wear your Omena, Red Wings, or Detroit Tigers T-shirts or sweatshirts to the service. 

Private burial in Hillcrest Cemetery will take place at a later date.  Pastor Mark Reinsch will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, P.O.

Box 436, Leland, MI 49654; Leelanau Children’s Choir and Youth Ensemble, P.O. Box

902, Leland, MI 49654 and/ or Leader Dogs For The Blind, 1039 S. Rochester Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307.

Please share condolences and memories with Ingrid’s family below or on our Facebook Page.