PFAFFTOWN, N.C.

Colleen Sue Ohmit, 80, of Pfafftown, North Carolina, died suddenly Monday, July 11, 2016, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Born Sept. 21, 1935, in South Bend, she was the daughter of Sigmund and Kathleen Callsen.

Colleen possessed a beautiful smile, a playful sense of humor and a love of music, which along with her intelligence and a kind heart toward those less fortunate, will be much missed by family, friends and church community.

Colleen had a rich 30-year career as an elementary school teacher in Indiana and taught every grade except fourth. She earned a Bachelor of Education degree and a Masters of Education degree from Ball State University and was a member of numerous professional organizations and honor societies. Colleen moved to Pfafftown in 1996 after retiring to be closer to her grandchildren and daughter.

Her Christian faith was central to her, especially in later life as she bravely faced severe physical challenges from rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. As a child, she was a member of River Park Methodist Church in South Bend. As an adult, she belonged to First United Methodist Church of Anderson, First Presbyterian Church of Seymour and Reynolda Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She led a Bible study group for several years as part of the Reynolda community.

Survivors include her sister, Cynthia Callsen of Brooklyn, New York; brother-in-law, Al Genlot; son, Kent Vermillion of Vienna, Virginia; daughter, Kathy (James) McNamara of Pfafftown; grandchildren, Connor Duffy, Aaron Radford and Laura Radford, Helen McNamara and Samuel McNamara; and a nephew, Erik Callsen.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Larry Callsen.

Visitation followed by funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Reynolda Church, 2200 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Burial will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park, 3771 Yadkinville Road, Winston-Salem.