Colleen Fitzgerald Bard

Colleen Fitzgerald Bard, of Washington, Utah, passed away on November 1, 2026, at age 83. She was born March 25, 1943, in Coalville, Utah, to Robert Bruce Fitzgerald and El Doris Swain. Her first husband was Lonny Neilsen, with whom she had two children, Shane Neilsen and Michelle Neilsen Moore. Colleen later married Leroy “Red” Prentice, whose daughter Robin was Colleen’s stepdaughter. Colleen married John Bard on December 5, 1992, and became stepmother to his son, Charlie Bard. John passed away June 24, 2014.

Colleen was raised with a strong sense of responsibility and lived a life marked by hard work, pride in her accomplishments, and a lasting memory for the many places and people that shaped her journey. Colleen graduated from Union High School in Roosevelt, Utah, in 1961. She took special pride in the many jobs she held throughout her life. Even when short-term memory became difficult, she could still proudly recall the eleven jobs she had worked. Her work history included the Evans Café, Wester Hills and Frontier Grill in the Roosevelt area, The Jamaica in Las Vegas, and the Spring Mountain Inn, a place fondly remembered by her family for its steamed clams. She also remembered a boss named Bob Milk. Her work took her through the Roosevelt area, Grand Junction, Colorado, and Las Vegas, and her proudest professional accomplishment was her 35 years at the Bacchanal Room at Caesars Palace. That long career stood as a testament to her dedication, endurance, and strong sense of purpose.

Colleen was proud of her pioneer heritage and participated in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She was a fierce defender of her son Shane following his serious childhood injuries, pressing for every opportunity and the best available care. Her devotion extended to those who needed help, including her stepdaughter Robin, her friend Anna, whom she welcomed into her home near the end of Anna’s life, and her husband John, whom she cared for through cancer and other illnesses.

Colleen especially loved country western dancing. She met John while dancing, and they continued dancing together as long as they were able. She enjoyed singing and dancing competitions on television and was an enthusiastic Tom Jones fan. Shane and Randi remembered hearing his music so often while caring for her that “She’s a Lady” and “Delilah” seemed to follow them from one day into the next. Colleen could also make people laugh; visitors remembered how much her humor brightened their time with her. One of her favorite sayings was “Don’t Worry Be Happy.”

Colleen’s family finds comfort in their faith and in the hope of her reunion with loved ones who preceded her in death, including her husband, John Bard (June 24, 2014); her first husband, Lonny Neilsen; her daughter, Michelle Neilsen Moore; her stepson, Charlie Bard; her stepdaughter, Robin Prentice; her sister, Wilma Beeler, and brother-in-law, Dan Beeler; and her parents, Robert Bruce Fitzgerald and El Doris Swain.

Colleen’s memory will be cherished by her son, Shane Neilsen; her daughter-in-law, Randi Neilsen; and her son-in-law, Frank Moore. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Kiersti Winters, Spencer Neilsen, and Conner Neilsen, who carry forward her family’s love and connection. She is also survived by her brother, Richard Fitzgerald, and his wife, Vicki; her sisters, Bette Fitzgerald, El Doris Allred, and Patsy Marx; her brother-in-law, David Marx; and many other relatives and friends. In the lives of those who knew and loved her, Colleen leaves a legacy of perseverance, devotion to family, and pride in a life fully lived.

A viewing will be held on Friday, November 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Heber Valley Funeral Home, 288 N. Main St., Heber City, Utah. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 p.m. at Heber Valley Funeral Home. Interment will take place at 12:30 p.m. at Heber City Cemetery, 680 North 550 East, Heber City, Utah.

May her memory bring comfort to all who loved her.