Mary Colleen Zurcher Ladwig, 96, of Harrison, NE, passed away peacefully with family at her side on June 20th, 2026, at Crestview Care Center.

Colleen was born in Harrison, NE, on August 22nd, 1929, to Adolph and Marguerite Zurcher. Colleen was the first of three children and had a sister Shirley and a brother Russel. Colleen graduated from Sioux County High School as valedictorian of her class and she had a love for numbers, which would influence her later careers. Colleen would go on to marry William August Ladwig, Jr., and together they had three children, Michael, Steven, and Shelley. Colleen would later separate from William. In 1966, Colleen ran for the Niobrara County Clerk position and in 1967, moved to Torrington, WY with her three children where she remarried and took care of her husband Warren for several years and worked as a book keeper at the Citizen’s National Bank in Torrington.

After caring for Warren, who suffered from MS and was later hospitalized, they would separate, and Colleen moved back to Harrison, NE, where she bought her own home and lived for many years. While living in Harrison, Colleen worked at the Sioux County Courthouse as a bookkeeper, working with numbers, which she enjoyed. In her spare time, Colleen enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and, later on, her great-grandchildren. One of her great joys was hearing about her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's lives and accomplishments. Colleen’s great- grandchildren especially share fond memories of being in her presence throughout their lives. She enjoyed collecting images and records of her family history that she could look back on and reminisce about, collections that would later be passed on to her children to enjoy. Colleen also enjoyed taking care of her home and caring for her animals, especially her pet cats and neighborhood cats. Even in her later years, Colleen still enjoyed having the facility cat, at Crestview Care Center, by her side.

Colleen is preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Marguerite Zurcher, her sister Shirley, her infant brother Russel, and her infant grandson Dusty. Colleen is survived by her three children, Michael, Steven (Newcastle), and Shelley (VanTassell); her grandchildren, Levi (Dickinson, ND), Sandy (Casper), Stevie (Casper), Tommy, and Cheryl; and her great-grandchildren, Layla (Dickinson, ND), Jade (Herresbach, Germany), and Jazmin (Dickinson, ND).

A cremation is to take place, entrusted to Pier Funeral Home in Lusk, WY. No services will be held at this time, Colleen’s ashes will be laid to rest in her plot at the Lusk cemetery, per her wishes. Colleen’s family welcomes friends and family to visit her burial site to pay their respects in their own time. Colleen will be dearly missed by anyone having the pleasure of knowing her.