Colleen Y. Dikkers

Colleen Y. Dikkers, of Freeport, IL, passed away on her 88th birthday on Friday, May 23, 2025 at Winn Prairie in Freeport, IL. She was born May 23, 1937 at home in Forreston, IL, the daughter of Onne A. and Laura (Ocken) DeWall.

Colleen was a 1955 graduate of Forreston High School and a 1959 graduate of Central College, Pella, IA where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. She taught 2nd grade at Cunningham School in Beloit, WI. A highlight of her teaching career was having Janet Lynn, an eventual Olympic figure skating medalist, as one of her students. While working as a summer camp counselor, she met her future husband, who was attending a young farmers Rural Youth event. On July 14, 1962, she married Larry Dikkers at Forreston Reformed Church. Upon starting a family, Colleen became a full-time homemaker and substitute teacher. She was a loving and caring mother to three daughters. With her home economics education, she enjoyed teaching her daughters to sew and bake for their various 4-H projects. She was known for her many delicious home-cooked meals and desserts. Larry and Colleen lived on the same farm, near Baileyville, for almost 60 years until moving to Freeport in 2021.

Colleen was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Shannon, IL, where she was a long-time Sunday School teacher and participated in the United Methodist Women organization. In the early years, she was a member of the Good News Singers, a local women’s singing group. She also belonged to the Stephenson County Home Extension for over 50 years where she held various officer positions.

She enjoyed attending the sporting events and activities of her children and grandchildren, and Larry and Colleen continued to support the local basketball teams for many years. Special vacations included trips to Branson, MO and a family trip to Cubs Spring Training in Mesa, AZ. In the later years, she loved watching game shows, especially Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, and watching Cubs games with Larry.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Larry Dikkers of Freeport, IL; three daughters, Anne (Mike) Wisniewski of Fox River Grove, IL, Sarah (the late Tim) Walker of Hoffman Estates, IL, and Carol (Wayne) Jackowski of German Valley, IL; three grandchildren, Matt (Kelly Jo) Wisniewski of Chicago, IL, Alissa Wisniewski of Chicago, IL and Adam Walker of Hoffman Estates, IL; two step-grandchildren Sara (Andrew) Simons of Mt. Juliet, TN and Ryan Walker of Mundelein, IL, and three step-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is one sister-in-law, Jean (the late Neil) DeWall of Baileyville, IL and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Neil DeWall, sister and brother-in-law Rosalie and Paul Park, and son-in-law Timothy Walker.

Colleen’s family would like to thank the compassionate staff at Winn Prairie and Heartland Hospice for their wonderful care.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 30, 2025 at Bethel United Methodist Church, 217 S. Hickory St., Shannon, IL. A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:30 P.M. on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Freeport. Memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, Rockford Rescue Mission, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.