Patricia E. Colter

She was born and raised on a farm in Colorado. She attended Colorado State University, Cottey College in Missouri and Illinois State University. She met and married Larry Colter while in college. The active lifestyle she passionately enjoyed with her family included sailing, sailboat racing, bareboat cruising in the Caribbean, scuba diving, swimming and other water sports. She also enjoyed downhill and cross country skiing, roller skating, and had a wide range of friends. She was active in the Red Cross in Illinois; on the board of the United Way; and was also involved with Rails to Trails Recreation Trail movement in the Evansville area, Leadership Evansville and Leadership Warrick County. Pat was a lifelong educator committed to challenging students of all ages to reach their potential. She also spent the last 13 years directing the course “Wednesday Mornings at UE,” which enriched the lives of many community members.

Patricia is survived by her husband of 48 years, Larry Colter; daughter, Theresa Thielemann (Paul) of Bozeman, MT; grandchildren, Mitchell Edward Thielemann and Stephanie Ellen Thielemann; sister, Theresa Brust (Dennis) of Steamboat Springs, CO; and nieces, Debby Brust, Diane Atkins and Danelle Watson.

Services will be 1:00 PM Saturday, April 16, 2011, at Alexander Newburgh Chapel in Newburgh, IN, with a reception to follow. Friends may visit Saturday from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pat Colter Scholarship Fund, c/o Old National Bank, 16 E. Clara Court, Bozeman, Montana 59718.