Colleen Orlette

Ranz

Colleen O. Ranz, 71, of Rural Fertile, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2026, at Essentia Health in Fargo, North Dakota.

Colleen was born on February 16, 1955, in Crookston, Minnesota, to Harold and Esther (Johnson) Olson. She was baptized and confirmed at Faaberg Lutheran Church in Rindal, MN. Raised on her family’s dairy farm, Colleen learned the meaning of hard work at an early age — carrying water from the well, tending to chores, helping her parents, and embracing the values of perseverance, humility, and love of family. These early experiences shaped the remarkable work ethic that defined her entire life. Colleen attended Fertile-Beltrami Public School, where she excelled academically as a straight A student. She participated in music and gymnastics and graduated in 1973. That same year, she married the love of her life, Greg Ranz, beginning a 53-year partnership rooted in devotion, grit, and shared purpose. Together they built a life on their small farm east of Fertile, embracing both the challenges and joys of rural living.

While raising her growing family, Colleen began her professional journey in accounting at Stuhaug and Smeby, preparing tax returns while attending night classes at Moorhead State University. Her determination paid off when she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 1983. She later earned her Master of Social Work from the University of North Dakota in 1997, supported by the prestigious Bush Foundation Leadership Fellowship, a testament to her exceptional talent for research, writing, and leadership. Colleen was a trailblazer. At a time when women were rarely seen in financial leadership roles, she broke barriers — serving as an accountant, Chief Financial Officer, and later a licensed social worker. She provided financial expertise to farmers, small businesses, healthcare organizations, and regional agencies. Her ability to secure high‑value grants strengthened the institutions she served and expanded vital services throughout Northwest Minnesota. Her career evolved with her passions: from agricultural finance, to healthcare operations, to mental health advocacy. As a social worker, she dedicated herself to helping individuals facing adversity, guided by empathy, insight, and a deep belief in human resilience. Her “learn‑it‑all” spirit and relentless drive allowed her to reinvent herself many times, always with the goal of serving others and providing the best opportunities for her family.

Colleen’s greatest joy was her family. She poured her heart into raising her four sons — Sonny (Jennifer), Cody (Maria), Ethan, and Evan (Tiffany) — balancing career and motherhood with unwavering love. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy: Alex, Cole, Cael, Olivia, Sienna, Bridger, Griffin, Raegan, and Bristol.

In her retired years, Colleen found deep peace and purpose in tending her beautiful garden and enjoying the outdoors with Greg. She raised abundant produce that she used to prepare family meals, continuing the traditions she learned in her youth. She loved teaching her grandchildren how to garden, can vegetables, cook, and bake using fresh ingredients grown naturally on her farm. These moments — hands in the soil, children gathered around her, recipes passed down — became some of her most cherished memories and a lasting gift to the generations that follow. Colleen lived a life defined by courage, intellect, compassion, and an unshakeable commitment to her family. Her legacy will endure in the lives she touched, the institutions she strengthened, and the generations she inspired. May God bless the memory of Colleen Ranz.

Colleen is survived by her husband Greg; her sons, Sonny (Jennifer), Cody (Maria), and Evan (Tiffany); her nine grandchildren; her sisters, Phyllis Billingsley and Ruth Barndt; her brother, Dale Olson; her uncle, Floyd Olson; and her aunt, Verna (Ernie) Olson.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Ethan; her parents, Harold and Esther Olson; infant brother, William Olson; her uncle, Marvin (Eleanor) Olson; her aunt, Laura (Ralph) Johnson; father and mother-in-law, Gordon and Elvira Ranz; and brother-in-law, Steven Ranz.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Anderson Family Funeral Home, Fertile, MN with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 PM. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN, visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral at Concordia. Interment will be in Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.