Colette V. Axelson

Colette V. Axelson, 84, of Winnebago, passed away at home on Thursday, April 13, 2023, with loving family by her side.

Colette was born in Rockford, IL on September 11, 1938, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hannan) King. She graduated from Muldoon High School, Class of 1956 where she was a proud team captain on the basketball team. Colette married the love of her life, Harold G. Axelson on May 24, 1958, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Rockford. She was employed with Weise’s Department Store and later worked for J.I. Case Farm Machinery. Colette was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Pecatonica. She enjoyed gardening and taking care of her family farm as well as crocheting clothing for children’s dolls that she won several awards for. Above all else, Colette cherished her time spent with family and loved ones. She will be dearly missed.

Surviving relatives include her children, Steve, Elizabeth, Mike (Veronica), Jim (Toni), Celeste and Chris; 20 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; sister, Betty (Carl) Try and many nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. She is predeceased by her parents; husband, Harold; brothers Jack and Jim King and sister, Monica (Clifford) Rivers.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 19, 2023, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Rockford, IL 61103. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. located at St. Mary Catholic Church, 126 W. 5th Street, Pecatonica, IL 61063. Burial will conclude in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Winnebago, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Colette’s name to the Poor Clare Colletine Nuns of Rockford.

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