Coleen McClanahan, Ames, Iowa, passed away on April 26, 2025, at Northcrest Community, Ames. She resided at Northcrest for over three years after retiring and selling her home. Coleen was born on March 16,1943, in Worthington, Minnesota, to Carlos McClanahan and Ella Catherine (Wiese) McClanahan. Her father operated a harness and shoe repair shop in Worthington, Minnesota. In 1953, when she was in fourth grade, the family moved to Lake Park, Iowa, where her parents operated Blair’s Coffee Shop. Carlos McClanahan had five sisters and two brothers. Coleen’s mother had four sisters and one brother. She was an only child of parents who had been married 15 years before she was born. Coleen always said she was very special to them. Coleen’s dad passed away on the 26th of May 1960, when she was 17. She graduated from Lake Park High School in 1961 and attended the University of Northern Iowa to receive a B.A. and an M.A. from Iowa State University in education. During Coleen’s first year of teaching in Fort Dodge, her mother died on July 26, 1966.
Coleen advanced from elementary school teacher to Title One Coordinator at the Fort Dodge School central office. The Iowa Department of Education recruited her to apply for a Title One Consultant position. She bought a house in Ames and worked for the Department of Education for over 20 years as a Reading/Title One Consultant, Project EASIER manager, and NAEP coordinator and lead consultant. The Title One program helped improve students’ reading skills. Project EASIER and NAEP helped highlight areas of educational improvement for teacher training.
Coleen was a committed educator well known across the state especially for her involvement in the Iowa Reading Association, which presented her with awards throughout her career.
Coleen’s friends were many from around the state and in the Department of Education. Her outgoing personality quickly drew friends around her. Her exceptional hospitality was appreciated by many friends who counted on her yearly Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year parties at her decorated house with excellent food and fun times, as her quick wit had people laughing and enjoying time with her. Many copied her recipes and used them at their own parties, calling them “Coleen’s recipes”.
Coleen loved to take her friends in her red 1968 Chevy convertible for trips around Iowa and visited friends in New York and surrounding states. She enjoyed a trip to China with Dept. of Education friends in 2007. These trips provided stories that were enjoyed by everyone. Coleen had an infectious love of life and a strong commitment to improving education that was apparent to everyone that knew and worked with her.
She was preceded in death by her parents and several cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Services were held on May 6 at the Presbyterian Church, Ames, with graveside services at the Ames Cemetery under the direction of Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home.
Memorials may be given to the Iowa Reading Association c/o Nancy Wright at 55491 230th Street, Glenwood, Iowa, 51534.
