Colleen Leonora Johnson Fechser's Obituary
Colleen Leonora Johnson Fechser, 86, loving wife of Allan Fechser, passed away on March 19, 2022.
Born in a log cabin with no plumbing or running water in Upalco, Utah, on April 22, 1935, to Paul Marven Johnson and Millie Louise Farrer Johnson, Colleen was the third of four children. At age 6, she moved to Provo, Utah, and spent the rest of her childhood and young adulthood there, graduating from Provo High School.
She married Clyde Allan Fechser on October 6, 1955, in the Manti Temple. Allan was an Air Force pilot, and his career took them to Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Maryland, Iceland, and Utah. Colleen was determined to earn a bachelor’s degree and studied at several colleges as her growing family moved around. She matriculated at BYU in 1953 and ultimately graduated from the U in 1980 with a BS in home economics education.
While studying and raising three children, Colleen held a variety of interesting jobs. In Utah, she served as WIC Director of Davis County for 23 years, and even earned National WIC Director of the Year. She also served as president of NAWD (National Association of WIC Directors) for one year.
Colleen loved running. She never missed her running days on the Davis High School track or the Kaysville City Cemetery pathways—when the roads were icy, she wore cleats. Her collection of footrace medals and trophies filled a basement wall.
Colleen had a great sense of humor and enjoyed joking with her friends. She joined many social clubs and played hundreds of bridge games over the years. Her love of people was enormous, and she had a way of reaching out to those who needed it. Colleen’s home baked cookies, pies, and rolls were not only famous among her family and friends but also among readers of the local papers, where she sometimes published recipes.
Colleen had a strong testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After retirement, she served as a host at the Church Conference Center. She made instant friends everywhere she went and will be greatly missed. Colleen is survived by her children Peggy (Don) Sutton, David (Lori), and Cappy; grandchildren Scott (Renza), Matt (Haley), Kevin (Laura), Beth Sutton (Aaron Rosenfeld), Jim Sutton, and Debbie Sutton; and eight great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, March 25, at the Kaysville Crestwood Chapel: 1039 E Crestwood Rd, Kaysville.
View the service here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH_iFbHFhWvQXMTbXLcPbmg/live
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