Colleen Jeanette Schwenger

March 7, 2018

Colleen Jeanette Schwenger went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday March 7th 2018 after battling a very rare and aggressive cancer. She is survived by her loving husband of 16 years Jeremiah Schwenger, daughter Grace, and sons Caleb, Luke, Isaac, and Micah, father John Garrison, mother Carla Garrison, and brother Nathan Garrison. Born January 18th 1982 Colleen was just 36 when God called His daughter home. Her life though short was remarkable. Colleen's Christian upbringing focused on emulation of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31, and she personified all of those attributes. Prov. 31:11 "The heart of her husband trust in her". Confident of her outstanding character Jeremiah never doubted in his wife's potential or execution of anything she set her mind to do, knowing she was always doing her level best to please God with her life. (31:13) "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Colleen was no sloth. In addition to the duties of keeping a house of seven, she fulfilled what she knew to be her God given duty in the education of her children. Colleen said, "You can't pay someone to love your children". While most would be exhausted from homeschooling their children, she found the motivation to make specialty soaps from the milk of the goats she was raising. (31:15) "She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household." Anyone who has been to a family function at the Schwenger house can attest to Colleen's ability in the kitchen. Jeremiah says he is living proof that she made the best food he ever tasted. (31:20) "She opens her hand to the poor." Just months before her passing, Colleen was actively convincing her husband to add on to their house and adopt two under privileged children. Colleen's heart broke for those who had to grow up in unloving environments. (31:25) "She laughs at the time to come." Colleen's love is only rivaled by her sense of humor. (31:28) "Her children rise up and call her blessed" Colleen's greatest accomplishment has been the raising of five eternal person's she has brought into this world. Her life is in theirs, and when we see them, we see all the best of her. Colleen needlessly felt guilty for not contributing monetarily to her family. Jeremiah would remind her that her investment in those that she loved is worth more than rubies, and pays eternal dividends even now. When Colleen passed from this mortal into immorality Jeremiah read her these words, "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." (Proverbs 31:29) We don't grieve as others who have no hope. It's true she will be greatly missed, but make no mistake that we who have trusted Christ, and have been privileged to love her in this life will love her eternally when we are with her in God's everlasting kingdom. Visitation and memorial service will be held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Port Republic on Wednesday March 14th . Visitation from 11:00-12:00 and service at 12:00. In lieu of flowers or gifts please make tuition donations for the children at The Pilgrim Academy.