Gerrie was born in Milliken on Friday, October 13, 1939, to John and Rachel Sauer, farmers of the area. She attended school in Johnstown and following high school graduation she attended Colorado Women’s College in Denver, and afterwards transferred to Colorado State College, in Greeley, to obtain her teaching degree. During summer breaks she worked at the Greeley airport and later in retail in Estes Park.

After having completed student teaching in Berthoud, Gerrie pursued a Master of Arts in Remedial Reading at Colorado State College, and a Type D Administrator Certifi cate from the University of Northern Colorado. She married E. Wayne Colette in 1960 and assisted on their dairy farm in Windsor, while teaching first grade at the new Tozer Elementary.

Gerrie received special training in the mechanics and mission of a then new concept: Head Start. While residing in Fort Morgan, she taught elementary school and gave teacher motivation lectures.

She completed her Specialist in Education in the discipline of Reading at UNC in 1967 and moved to Canon City whereupon she taught for 33 years and set upon a lifetime of volunteer work. An additional honor of helping other teachers improve their efforts in the teaching of reading was bestowed when she traveled to several communities in Colorado with CEA, the Colorado Education Association Helpmobile.

She taught Rapid Reading courses for Pueblo Community College and other classes for adults. She had a passion and love for both Graphoanalysis and Calligraphy and willingly taught these to other interested adults. In 1977, Gerrie started RIF, Reading is Fundamental, in Washington, Harrison and McKinley Elementary Schools in Canon City. This program grew as donations were received from PTO’s and other community organizations, as well as a grant from the American Association of University Women. The RIF program, which was totally volunteer, encompassed Penrose, Florence and Cotopaxi and private schools.

In 1978 a grant was secured from AAUW with which Gerrie initiated Adult Literacy in Fremont County. She utilized many weekends training other volunteers how to teach and encourage adults to learn to read.

For numerous years, she could be found voluntarily carrying cans of heart suckers to businesses on Main Street to expressly contribute to research for the Heart Association.

In the 1980s Gerrie worked on campaign planning and as chairperson of Fremont County United Way.

She enjoyed participation at the state level as an offi cer and on committees for AAUW, Altrusa, and Colorado Cattle Women. She was honored as Outstanding Young Women of the Year in both 1968 and 1975.

Gerrie devoted several years since retirement in 2000 by sharing the value of agriculture, the by-products of cattle and the high-quality protein for good health to literally hundreds of second graders in Fremont County, Weld County, Larimer County and some of Pueblo County. She entertained fourth graders with a presentation of the fur traders, gold miners and cowboys that helped to form the unique history of Colorado. In 2018 she was recognized as Colorado Cattle Woman of the Year.

Gerrie loved gardening and working the soil in which she cultivated healthful vegetables and fruits in large gardens which she fastidiously tended. She competed at both the local and state fairs, winning numerous awards.

The Senior-Mini College held at Pueblo Community College realized her contributions of providing classes and serving on the Advisory Board for several years. She was instrumental in starting Author’s Day and securing local authors to present their works on subjects of their passion.

In the 2000s she was active member of the Friend of the Museum and History Center and was recently honored for service as the chairperson for 15 years.

Since moving to Canon City, Gerrie has been a faithful attendee at First Baptist Church whereupon in the 1970s she worked as a youth director, later was on the Education Committee, and a Trustee for her church for decades.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Henry and John Sauer.

She is survived by her two loving sons, Roxy and Randall Colette, his wife Beth, and two grandchildren, Rachael and Brenner. Also survived by her sister, Mary Jesser (Sauer) and husband Vern Jesser and sister-in-law, Cindy Sauer, as well as many nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Canon City on October 18 at 3 p.m. The family asks that if you feel compelled, instead of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Canon City.