Colleen Miller Schepman

Colleen Miller Schepman, born in Underwood, ND on July 27, 1936, died on June 25, 2026 in Durham, NC.

Over three decades as an educator, Colleen devoted herself to the elementary schools and students of northeast Minneapolis, MN. She was a beloved teacher, and an anchor and friend to fellow faculty. The inequities she experienced in her early years as a woman teacher pushed her to seek justice and to become a leader in the teachers’ union, MFT Local 59. Her instrumental role in the 1970 Minneapolis teachers’ strike, the collective bargaining rights that this won for teachers and all Minnesota public employes, and gains in equality for women teachers, are the accomplishments of which she was most proud and are her professional legacy.

Colleen grew up in Underwood, ND, born to Sophia & Ernest Miller, sister to John “Tip” and Sonja. She graduated from Underwood High School in 1954. She was smart, an early leader, an accomplished pianist, and ambitious to embark on a profession. She graduated from Minot State Teachers College in 1957 and began her teaching career in Minot, ND.

She married Richard T. Wolfe and began her family, Richard N. born in 1958 and Susan in 1960 and they moved together to Minneapolis where both she and Richard worked as teachers. Tragically, her husband died in 1966 and she became a young, working, single mother, trying to maintain stability for her two young children.

In 1971 she married F.L. “Hod” Schepman and blended their families, her two kids and his four. Life was camping trips and canoeing, a love and talent for cooking, avid gardening, beloved dogs Charlie & Scout, nearby family, nieces and nephews, and a far-ranging group of friends. The addition of grandchildren thrilled them both and added yet more adventure, cooking for crowds, travel, and happy times as active and doting grandparents. They lived in Maple Grove, MN for 20 years before retiring to Seattle, WA. Again, she was widowed – Hod died of pancreatic cancer in 2004.

Colleen stayed on in Seattle for another 18 years, active with the Swedish Institute, painting classes, political involvement in the local chapter of Democrats, more doting on grandchildren, and enjoying the view from the Magnolia Boulevard. She moved to Durham, NC in 2022, home of Richard and his family, to spend her late years as “Grandma the Great” for the next round of great grandchildren. She continued to play the piano, entertaining the residents of the senior communities in which she lived. She died of dementia related causes.

Survived by: Richard N. Wolfe of Durham, NC, his wife Cheryl, grandchildren, their spouses, and great grandchildren; Susan Smallidge of Seattle, WA, her husband Greg, and grandchildren. Brother John “Tip” Miller of North Oaks, MN and his family. Sister Sonja Dasenko of Melbourne, FL and her family. And by her step-children and their families: Laurie Schepman Christensen, her husband Bob, and grandchildren, their spouses and great grandchildren; Scott Schepman, his wife Donna, and grandchildren; and Vicki Schepman, grandchildren, their spouses and great grandchildren. Preceded in death by step-children Steve Schepman and Stuart Schepman.

Her family is grateful to the caring staff of the Senior Communities in which she lived: Ida Culver House Broadview in Seattle; Atria Southpoint in Durham; and Carolina Reserve in Durham. And to the Hospice team of Authoracare in Burlington, NC.