Colleen Ann Hoff , of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, died peacefully in her sleep January 13, 2023 at the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston.

Colleen was born April 20, 1927 in East Grand Forks. She was one of eight children born to Lillian (Bushey) & Gordon Bridgeford. She graduated from Central High school in 1944 at age 17. Soon after graduation she began work as a bookkeeper. Colleen met Stan Hoff, the love of her life, at the State Ballroom in East Grand Forks. They enjoyed dancing together throughout their marriage. They were married on June 10, 1951. Colleen greatly enjoyed bookkeeping and by this time was working at the Farmers Co-op elevator in East Grand Forks.

Together Stan & Colleen had two children, Julie and Joan. Following the birth of her two daughters Colleen continued to work and managed to find support at a time before childcare centers. Outside of working full time and caring for a young family, Colleen enjoyed bridge and was an avid player for most of her life. She took up golf after her children were grown. She had a strong competitive nature and collected a number of golf and bridge awards over the years.

With her natural talent for numbers, Colleen often served as the treasurer of the various boards and groups she was involved with including the East Grand Forks Senior Center, Valley Golf club, and the Area Vocational Technical Institute (now known as Northland Community and Technical College).

Colleen had a strong sense of place and was fulfilled spending her life in East Grand Forks near her family and lifelong friends. For Stan & Colleen, travel typically was to visit family. After Stan retired, Colleen needed some convincing to retire before realizing she enjoyed spending winters in warm weather. After Stan died in 2001, Colleen continued to winter in Arizona. Seven years later, she met Neele Neefe in the retirement community they both were a part of. They were married October 20, 2007 and spent eight years together. After he died in 2015, Colleen moved into the Maples at the Good Samaritan in East Grand Forks. She surprised many people with her resilience overcoming loss and a number of medical issues. She would often mention how grateful she was to have a lovely apartment, kind caregivers, and friends at the Maples. She had a medical setback in May 2022 and moved to Villa St. Vincent.

Colleen is survived by her children, Julie (Bryan) Alkema, and Joan (Kevin) Mork; six grandchildren, James (Gina & great-grandchildren, Damien, Josiah, and Gwendolyn), Katie Mork, Michelle (Bebhinn) Mork, Jay Mork, Jasmin Alkema (Drew Weilage), and Erina Alkema; siblings, Monica "Monty" Peterson and Pat (Eleanore) Bridegford; and many nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon & Lillian; her husband Stan; sisters, Dorothy "Dot" Sehler, Jeanne Dempsey, and Joyce Stocker; and brothers, Doug and Robert Bridgeford.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Good Samaritan Heritage Grove or a charity of your choice.

Mass of Christian Burial is 11:00am on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 200 NW 3 ^rd Street, East Grand Forks, with Visitation 1 hour prior. Luncheon to follow. Interment at Bethany Cemetery South in the Spring.