Colleen Zenker, 94, of Soquel, California, passed away peacefully at home on January 22, 2026. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Colleen’s life was a quiet yet powerful testament to compassion, service, and a steady grace that lifted the spirits of everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Born on April 9, 1931, in Jamestown, North Dakota, Colleen Baldwin was the daughter of Ray Baldwin and Flora Bruce Baldwin. She was raised on the open plains of North Dakota, where she learned the values of hard work, resilience, humility, and kindness. She married young, meeting her future husband, LeRoy Zenker, on a blind date. They married in 1949 and began their life together in the tiny town of Medina, North Dakota.

With hope for greater opportunity for their growing family, Colleen and LeRoy made the bold decision to move west to California. Along with LeRoy’s father and brother, they purchased a hardware store in downtown Watsonville. Known for decades as Zenker’s Hardware—and later Ace Hardware—the store became a cornerstone of the community. While LeRoy handled sales and inventory, Colleen managed the accounting and billing. Yet she was never confined to the back office. It was common to find her on the sales floor weighing nails, mixing paint, or patiently helping a customer solve a stubborn home repair problem. Together, Colleen and LeRoy owned and operated the store for more than 25 years. When they retired and sold the business to a longtime employee, fate had one last twist—the store was irreparably damaged in the 1989 earthquake just months later.

Colleen was deeply devoted to her church. Shortly after moving to California, she and LeRoy helped found and build their family church together with several other families. Her faith in God was central to her life, not loudly proclaimed but consistently lived. Grace defined her—how she treated others, how she forgave, how she served, and how she showed up with quiet steadiness and love. She also volunteered for many years at Watsonville Community Hospital, giving her time freely and generously. Colleen loved 49er football, attending games and tailgates as season ticket holders for decades, including two Super Bowls.

Above all else, Colleen’s greatest joy was her family. Known lovingly as “Nonni,” she adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her all-boy group of grandsons was her universe. They fondly recall sleepovers filled with bedtime singing, bribery in the form of cookies, and her signature move—softly caressing the bridge of their noses until sleep finally won. You could always find her in the kitchen making a snack for someone. If enough food had been planned for a gathering, she worried there wouldn’t be enough and made more—just in case. A true and proud food pusher, offering nourishment as one of her many forms of love.

Colleen is survived by her husband of 76 years, LeRoy; her daughter, Debbie; her son, Keith, and daughter-in-law, Libby; her sons, Jeffrey and David (John); her grandsons, Matthew, Bryan, Connor, and Caden; and her great-grandsons, Maverick and Michael. She was preceded in death by her parents and all seven of her siblings.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Santa Cruz Hospice for helping make it possible for Colleen to pass comfortably and peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on a perfect, sunny day. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 21st at 11:00 am at Christ Lutheran Church, 10707 Soquel Drive, Aptos. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Lutheran Church and/or the adjacent Aptos Community Garden, a beloved outreach of the church.

Colleen’s life reminds us that grace does not need to be loud to be powerful—and that love, when given freely and faithfully, leaves a legacy that endures.