Peter John Colman

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ankeny Funeral Home and Crematory, located at 1510 West First Street in Ankeny, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the funeral home. A military Interment Ceremony will take place at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa at a future date to be announced.

Pete was born on July 8, 1939 in Mason City, Iowa to Malvon John and Mae Minnie (Schrank) Colman. He attended high school in Rockwell, Iowa. In 1956, he enlisted in the US Navy and passed his GED exam immediately upon entry. He was stationed out of the U.S. Great Lakes Naval Training Center and worked as a Machinist Mate on the U.S.S. Lloyd Thomas.

In January 1960 while home on leave, Pete’s military career was cut short by a near-fatal automobile accident. Though Pete was not expected to survive, he demonstrated his trademark strength by recovering after one year of hospitalization at the Des Moines VA Hospital. He was honorably discharged after nearly 4 years of service.

In 1961, Pete met the love of his life, that beautiful little red-haired girl with the pony tail, Patricia “Pat” Moore. On July 7, 1962 they were married in Rock Falls, Iowa and made their home in Mason City for the next 45 years. Together they lovingly raised their two daughters, Tammy and Kim. In 2006, Pete and Pat joined their daughters and grandchildren in the Des Moines area and made their home for 17 years in Urbandale, Iowa. They devoted their lives to their girls and their families, never missing a birthday, holiday, or school activity.

Following Pete’s military service, he worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation State Highway Commission as an Inspector, where he participated in the building of Interstate 35 from the Minnesota border to Highway 20. While working for the DOT, he began working evenings and eventually purchased and operated Shineway Services and Supply, where he was known around Northern Iowa as “Shineway Pete.”

When in Mason City, Pete loved his daily coffee at Pro’s Maid Rite and his back patio chatting with the neighbors. He carried this tradition to Urbandale where he and Pat enjoyed weekly breakfasts with neighborhood friends and sat in front of their townhome - talking and waving to everyone who went by. He enjoyed watching Westerns, container gardening, playing cards, hard work, and most of all, the legacy he created through his family.

Pete is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia; daughters Tamara (Jim) Foreman of Ankeny, Iowa and Kimberly (Dan) Callahan of Grimes, Iowa; grandchildren Colman and James Foreman and Kylie and Sierra Callahan; sister Ruby Wineman of Mason City, and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Pete is preceded in death by his parents, Malvon and Mae Colman; his sister Betty Walkner; his brothers Clifford, Thomas, William, Robert, and Delbert Colman.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com for the Colman family.