Coleen Mary Pihl, age 88, passed away on Monday, July 28, 2025, in Salina, KS, with her devoted husband by her side.
Coleen was born on September 4, 1936, in Salina, KS, to Lynn Drake and Wilma Drake (Price). Her early years were spent in Natoma, where her father ran a clothing store. The family later moved to Phillipsburg and then back to Salina, where her father established his own accounting business.
Coleen attended Whittier Elementary and Roosevelt Junior High, where she played the clarinet, sang in the chorus, and played piano for Girls Reserve meetings. At Salina Central High School, she was active in theatre and particularly enjoyed her accounting class. During her senior year, she suffered the loss of her father. After graduating, she began working at his accounting firm and helping her mother care for the family.
She later met and fell in love with LeRoy Pihl, and they married on September 20, 1958, at First United Methodist Church in Salina. Their early married life took them from Smolan to a duplex in Assaria, before settling into their farmhouse home on Falun Road on January 1, 1960, where they would spend over 60 years together.
Coleen embraced life as a farmer’s wife and mother of three with grace and joy. She was a faithful and active member of Salemsborg Lutheran Church, participating in Golden Links (a young couple’s group), WELCA, sewing club, bible study groups, and more. Always generous with her time, she was also involved in PTA, 4-H, and a local Pinochle club.
Gardening was one of Coleen’s greatest passions. She was an active member of several gardening and craft groups, including the Master Gardeners, The Gatherers, and a community wellness group called Walk Kansas. Her flower gardens were a reflection of her generous spirit, vibrant, welcoming, and loving, shared with everyone around her.
Coleen loved to travel, whether camping in Colorado, taking an ocean cruise, boarding a tour bus with friends to an unknown destination, trying her luck in Las Vegas, or making her annual fun-loving trips with her youngest sister to visit their sister in Miami, she was always eager for the next adventure. She loved Frank Sinatra’s music and classic films, especially Casablanca.
Above all, Colleen’s true joy was her family. Her home was a place of warmth and celebration, beautifully decorated for holidays, birthdays, backyard BBQs, and the beloved annual Christmas cookie decorating tradition. “Waffle Wednesdays” with her great-grandchildren became a very special weekly highlight. She and LeRoy rarely missed family events, whether dance recitals, graduations, or sporting events. Colleen’s happiest moments were spent with loved ones gathered around the table or watching children play in the yard.
Coleen is survived by her loving husband of nearly 67 years, LeRoy Pihl; her sisters, Deanna Diesmone and Sherri Johnson; her brother, Ron Drake; her children, Barbara Geiger (John), Mike Pihl (Teresa), and Deborah Torneden (Fred). She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Eric, Christy, Stephen, Michelle, Ashley, Kyle, and Myles; and great-grandchildren: Kira, Gemma, Freya, Bristol, Everett, Dean, Blair, Jace, Ada, and Wren.
Coleen will be remembered as a devoted servant of God, a steadfast wife, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and a friend to all. Her life was marked by caring, compassion, and unwavering love. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew her.
A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 11, 2025, at Salemsborg Lutheran Church, 3831 W Salemsborg Rd, Smolan, KS.
A private family burial will take place prior to the service.
A luncheon will follow the funeral service at Salemsborg Lutheran Church.
Memorials can be made to Salemsborg Lutheran Church, 3831 W Salemsborg Rd, Smolan, KS, in Coleen’s honor.