Loren A. Colle, 96, passed away Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Sandstone Heights Nursing Home in Little River, KS. He was born October 20, 1929, in rural Rice County to Tony and Mabel (Pallister) Colle.
Loren graduated from Reno Community High School (Nickerson) in 1947. He took college courses at Hutchinson Junior College before beginning his lifelong farming and ranching career.
Loren was active in many community leadership roles. He served on the Nickerson Co-op Board and the West Washington Township Board in Rice County. He was also a community leader for the Midland Clovers 4-H Club and a member of Midland United Church of Christ, where he served on the church council.
On June 1, 1952, Loren married Renae Bailey in Lyons. They shared 70 years of marriage before her passing on July 26, 2022. She was the love of Loren’s life and together they raised crops, cattle, and kids.
Loren is survived by his: children, Linda Colle Gerrond Robbins (David), of Weatherby Lake, MO; Lance (Brenda) Colle and John (Cindy) Colle, both of Hutchinson; grandchildren, Erica (Jason) and Ethan Gerrond, Addie (Chris) Coss, Ben (Bridget) Colle, Kevin (Jasmine) Colle, and Kaitlin Colle; and great-grandchildren, Kadin Colle, Blaine Ybarra, Olivia Coss, James, Stasia, Beckett, Mahaleigh, and Tobi Grace Colle, and Georgia Gerrond Clark.
He was preceded in death by his: wife, Renae; parents, Tony and Mabel Colle; and his siblings, Keith, Betty Carol, Wayne, Gene, Venetta, and Joyce.
A celebration of Loren’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 30, 2026, at Midland United Church of Christ, rural Sterling, with Pastors Jim Hollinger and Luke Helmuth officiating. Friends may sign his register book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the day of the service at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Elliott Mortuary. Cremation has taken place.
Memorials are suggested to Midland United Church of Christ, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.