Colleen Tice

Jan 4, 1973 - Jan 27, 2014

41 yrs old

Born in Modesto CA to Michael C. Hill and Judith Crawford Hill, step daughter to Justine Hill of Hermosa springs, Co. Grand daughter to William and Leah Hill of Pueblo, CO, Niece to Donald Hill of Pueblo, Co, Greg and Judy Hill of Canon City, Co, Steve and Patricia Hill of Fowler, Co and Debra and Bernard Murphy of Pueblo, Co. Sister to Robert Hill and Brian Hill of Canon City, Co, Daughter in Law to Sheliah Ludwig and Robert and Patricia Tice of Pine Grove, Pa. Sister in Law to Aaron Tice, Sandi Hill and Heidi Hill of Canon City, Co. Aunt to Ralph, Matt and Harlee Sanders of Canon City, Co, Rachel and James Barksdale of Canon City, Co. Mother to Cody L.R. Tice and Colton A. Tice of Canon City, Co. Wife and Soul mate to Andrew R. Tice Canon City, Co.

Our journey in life began in October of 1993. I was stationed at Ft. Carson, Co. One night fate had both of us decide to go to a night club in Colorado Springs called Rodeo's. I watched the most beautiful girl in the world twirl, dip and dance around the dance floor. I could not take my eyes off her and every time I would look at her it seemed she was looking at me. I wouldn't talk to her because she was dancing with the same man all night and assumed it was her boyfriend. Finally after harassment from my buddy I talked to her, come to find out the man was just a dance partner. After talking for a bit I gave Colleen a $50 bill and she went and got us something to eat and drink. I swore I would never see this girl or my $50 again. Sure as the sun rises every morning Colleen came back with our food and drinks and all my change. This was a girl I wanted to know better. We talked and danced all that night and went our separate ways. I went back to that club several times and never saw her again. Two weeks later and young lady called my apartment and said her name was Colleen. For the life of me I could not remember who she was, we talked for a spell and finally I realized who she was. I made a date with her for that night, I didn't want to lose this girl again. She showed up at my apartment looking as beautiful as I remembered her, went to the store and I made her homemade lasagna, a salad and an apple pie. I must have done something right because she never left from that night on. From then on we were one.

Colleen's and my life journey was not an easy one at first. Many hardships plagued us our first 7 yrs. First of all I had to prove to her Marine brothers that an Army guy was good enough to protect and provide for their baby sister. Secondly I had a very protective mother who was watching my every move and watching out for her baby girl. Her dad was the hardest of them all to win over. Colleen had many challenges with adjusting to being an Army spouse.

Colleen chose May, Friday the 13th 1994 to get married. She wanted a simple wedding. We went to the Justice of the Peace in Colorado Springs. Our wedding reception was at Hooters( her brothers idea) and afterwards went to Rodeo's night club and danced the night away. Colleen never thought of our wedding date as superstitious but as unique. I think everyone but her thought we were doomed from the get go, she was so right to choose that day.

July 13, 1995 changed Colleens life. That day Cody L.R. Tice was born. Cody was stubborn to enter the world. She was in labor for 2 days. We didn't think he was ever going to come out. When he did it was one of Colleens greatest moments of her life. Cody was an easy baby and Colleen would rub his head and listen to him coo. His eyes were the same blue as his momma's and sparkled like hers as well. She was committed to her lil toad and made sure he had everything he needed. Again on Sept 10, 1997 Colleens life would change again. Colton joined her family. The total opposite of his brother. She would call him her lil alligator cause that's what his cry sounded like. Momma took care of Colton thru all his surgeries and would not accept nothing but the best for her baby boy. She was as fierce as a grizzly bear when it came to her boys.

Colleen was dedicated to her boys and wanted nothing but the best for them. She went as far as getting her GED and continued her education until she received her BA from Columbia college. All this she did while being a mom, a dad and a best friend to her boys. She wanted to prove to them that anything is possible thru hard work and dedication. If she could do it they could do it.

Our locations changed several times in her life. Ft. Carson, Co, Ft. Clayton, Panama, Ft Hood, TX and Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. Colleen raised our boys on her own. My career kept me in the field, on a training exercise or deployed. Colleen struggled with the amount of time I was away from her and the boys but she raised our boys and taught them well. Colleen always pushed me to excel at my career. Constantly pushing, encouraging and praising me. That was my sweetheart, always taking care of me and later in my career my troopers as well. She was a mom to them as well. Ms. Colleen is how she was known by my troopers. Colleen always dreamed of the day when I would retire and move back to Colorado. Family was always on her mind and she missed the time she lost with them. Colleen loved her family here with all her heart and would do anything for them. She was always talking about her momma, brothers, uncle Greg, uncle Don, uncle Steve, grandpa and grandma and her daddy. She was so proud that her brothers found their soul mates: Robert and Heidi, Brian and Sandi. She was happy that Mike found Justine. Colleen loved Aaron like her own. Whenever he was in need, Ms. Colleen would do what she could to help and guide him. Always there to give him as much hell as Aaron would give her.

Colleen made many, many friends thru out her life. Kim, Michelle, Darlene, Rita, Carol, Mary and Lindsey just to mention a few. There are too many to name but know she loved and cherished all your friendships. She felt blessed to know all of you. Always there to lend an ear and a helping hand anyway she could. She was never afraid to tell you like she saw it weather you liked it or not. Colleen loved my mom Sheliah like she was her own momma and always cherished their talks and visits. She enjoyed her coffee mornings with Sandi and Harlee. Her surprise visits from Brian and Robert. The fires I would make for her on the back porch.

Colleen took her cancer head on. I remember the day she found out, I was out hunting and the Dr. called her it was December 21, 2012, the day the world was supposed to end. Our world changed on that day. She knew she was going to beat this ugly thing. Always telling me "no worries daddy, no worries". Colleen was determined to show her boys that you can survive cancer. Always taking care of me and the boys when we were trying to take care of her thru her chemo, radiation and surgeries. I came to love and cherish my sweetheart unconditionally with my complete heart and soul. Not many people find the love and companionship that Colleen and I have found. We shared 20 beautiful, joyous and sometimes hard moments together. I will forever be heart broken and have a void in my life that my sweetheart can only fill. I know one day we will meet again and that she watches over all of us here on earth. We must always remember her in the stories that she left us with. My sweetheart.....I will love you till the last rose dies! We all love you!

The family would like donations to the Colleen Tice Memorial Fund in lieu of Flowers. Contact any US Bank Branch to make a donation. Thank you and God bless!

Arrangements under the direction of Chapel of Memories, Colorado Springs, CO.