Colleen Kay Seifert, age 65 of New Ulm died peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Friday, August 14, 2026.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 am on Friday, August 21, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Thursday, and continue from 10-11 am on Friday all at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-North Chapel in New Ulm.

To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: mvfh.org

Colleen is survived by her husband, Lanny Seifert of New Ulm; her daughters, Angie (Bryan) Wendinger of New Ulm, Cassie (Mitch) Kassel of Walnut Grove; her grandchildren, Bennett and Joanna Wendinger; her sister, Sheila (Ken) Schouviller of Corcoran; her brothers, Ron (Monica) Maurer of Windom, Jerry (Mary) Maurer of Carlton, Craig (Robin) Maurer of Northfield, Joel Maurer of Morgan, Rick (Kim) Maurer of Morgan; her mother-in-law, Elaine Seifert of Mesa, Arizona; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Marjorie Maurer; her sister-in-law, Shelly Maurer; and her father-in-law, Leroy Seifert.

Colleen Kay Maurer was born October 7, 1960, in Sleepy Eye to Leonard and Marjorie (Hogan) Maurer. Growing up on her family’s farm in rural Morgan, Colleen was a 1979 graduate of Morgan High School. She was united in marriage to Lanny Wayne Seifert on April 30, 1983, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Morgan. This union blessed the couple with two daughters, whom they raised together in New Ulm.

Early in her working career, Colleen worked at Country Kitchen and K-Mart in New Ulm. She later worked for Brown County Public Health and after that, she operated an in-home daycare before dedicating 29 years of her career to District 88 as a paraprofessional. Colleen truly cared about every child she encountered and always made sure they had a smile on their face, and perhaps a treat in their pocket. She came to know so many children throughout the years and helped more than she probably ever realized. Even years later, Colleen could still remember their names. The compassion and kindness she showed to each child was felt by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Outside of her work, there were countless activities and hobbies that kept Colleen busy. She was always there for her children, serving as a hockey team representative and 4-H leader. Colleen was also an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where she served with the CCW and as a religion teacher. When it was time to relax, she enjoyed spending time at the lake, fishing and swimming. She loved watching her girls participate in their sporting activities and, later in life, found just as much joy watching her grandchildren participate in theirs. Colleen was an instrumental member of her “Girls’ Night Out” group, where countless memories and plenty of laughs were shared over the years with old friends and classmates.

Colleen began her daycare because she had a special love and compassion for children, but long before she cared for the children of others, her greatest role was being a mom. To her daughters, she was simply the best mom in the world. She raised them with strength, compassion, kindness, and a love for others that will continue to live on through them and their families.

Throughout her life, Colleen gave so much of herself to others. Whether it was her own family, a child in her daycare or classroom, a student who needed a little extra encouragement, or a friend who needed a good laugh and someone by their side, Colleen had a way of making people feel cared for. Her life was defined not by the number of things she accomplished, but by the lives she touched along the way. She will be deeply missed by those who loved her, but her kindness, compassion, and the lessons she taught will live on in her daughters, grandchildren, family, friends, and in the many children who were fortunate enough to have known her. Blessed be her memory.