It is with heavy hearts and profound sorrow that we say goodbye to the beautiful and loving Colette Joy “Buffie” Ogren. Colette passed away suddenly after a courageous and hard-fought battle with ovarian cancer.

Colette was born in Melfort, Saskatchewan on February 27th, 1965 to Harry and Joyce Kadachuk. The second of two girls in the family, Colette was the life-long best friend of her older sister Carla. As far back as Colette could remember, she had a second name, ‘Buffie’, as she resembled the little girl on the T.V. show Family Affair with her long, reddish blonde hair – often in pigtails. Many people never did refer to her as Colette.

When Colette was three years old, the family moved to a farm near Brooksby. This was a new adventure for the young family with farm animals, granaries that turned into a makeshift school or playhouse, sloughs to skate on, and endless prairie for snowmobiling and mini biking. In the summer of 1981, a Gronlid boy by the name of Milt Ogren caught Colette’s attention. This summer would mark the beginning of many of Colette’s greatest adventures and the relationship that would change her life forever.

Colette attended school in Star City and Melfort, graduating from Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate (MUCC) in 1983. Following this, she attended Wascana Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in Regina where she received a Diploma of Accountancy. Throughout her life, Colette was employed as a bookkeeper, accountant, and office manager. She worked at Plus Industries Inc., Melgreen Equipment Ltd., Peat Marwich Thorne Chartered Accountants, Hodgins Auctioneers, Realty Executives, and Unified Physiotherapy. She enjoyed volunteering at numerous organizations including Children’s Wish, The Olive Tree Community Centre, the Canadian Cancer Society, and fundraising events of all kinds.

After a ten-year relationship, high school sweethearts Milt and Colette married on November 9th, 1991. This partnership between Milt and Colette was a rare and extraordinary connection. Their relationship has stood as an example to their girls and many of those around them as what love and marriage can be. A loving and supportive wife and best friend, Colette was the heart of the Ogren Household. She ensured that everyone knew where they needed to be and knew where things belonged. Whatever was on her plate, she made certain that everyone in her home was happy and healthy. Whether organizing the home or guiding her family along life’s many paths, Colette was a bright light through the many challenges faced by her and her family. Colette’s pride and joy were her two daughters, Jasmin and Megan – born in 1995 and 1998, respectively. She dedicated her life to raising them to be compassionate, hard-working, generous, and happy young ladies. The girls have endless love and admiration for their mother. “Mama” and “Mama Bear” was their best friend, confidant, teacher, and biggest fan.

Whether re-doing antique furniture, painting the house, landscaping, sewing figure skating costumes, or completely renovating an old cabin at Candle Lake, there was no project Colette and her sidekick Milt could not tackle. Anything she started… she finished with perfection.

Colette loved a good laugh; she was just so much fun to be around. She always looked forward to spending summers at the cabin, traveling to new places, golfing, fishing, and socializing with friends. As if her life was not full and busy enough, she filled her days with many cuddles and long walks with her beloved family dogs: Tiffany, Jake, Duke, and their most recent addition, Phoebe.

After raising their family in Melfort, Colette and Milt moved to Lloydminster for three years (2016 – 2019) before moving to Saskatoon where they have resided for the past year and a half. Colette loved living in Saskatoon where she could be near her girls.

Colette will be remembered for her fun-loving personality, her bright smile, generous heart, and courageous spirit.

Colette was predeceased by her father, Harry Kadachuk as well as father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Anne Ogren.

Left to mourn are Colette’s immediate family, husband of 29 years and best friend of 39 years, Milt; daughters: Jasmin and Megan; mother Joyce Kadachuk; sister Carla and her husband Grant, and their children Jill and Jace Crozon. She will also be lovingly remembered by her in-laws: Sonja (Lyle) Matt, Jerry Ogren, Nick (Cathy) Ogren, Karen Ogren (Mike MacInnis); nieces and nephews: Dean, Julianna, Kevin, Derek, Janel, Carson, Blake, Annistyn, Braunlyn and many other relatives and friends.

Colette will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all that knew her.

 The Funeral Service for Colette was held from the Fedusiak Funeral Chapel, Melfort, on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at 2:00 pm with Beth Baerwald officiating. The interment followed in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, #200-4545 Parliament Ave., Regina, SK S4W 0G3, or the North East SPCA, PO Box 189, Melfort, SK S0E 1A0.

To leave condolences for the Family, please visit the online guestbook at www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Melfort. (306)752-3838

• Date : 2020/11/23
• Location : Saskatoon, SK