Tara Colten, age 41, of St. Paul, MN, passed away on September 19, 2021, following a courageous battle with a rare autoimmune disease that doctors couldn’t name.

Tara was born on September 5, 1980 in St. Paul, MN to Tom and Patt (Furth) Colten.  At the age of 18, Tara brought her son, Re’Twan Balenger into the world. Tara loved her son more than anything in the world.

Despite the challenges of raising her son at a young age and as a single parent, Tara’s desire for helping others inspired her to enroll in college and graduate with an Associates of Science Degree in Social Work from Minneapolis Community & Technical College. She chose a career in social work because of her determination to help other young women and children who had experienced life’s hardships like she did. She worked and volunteered for many years with the homeless, at a shelter for young mothers, as well as the Salvation Army. She instilled this caregiving nature onto her son, who she helped others side by side with.

Just before the age of 33, Tara gave birth to her beautiful daughter, Sapphire Flowers. Sapphire is truly her mother’s daughter with just as much spunk, energy, and a loving personality. Tara was so happy to have a daughter even though she would joke that she was finally getting a “taste of her own medicine.” Tara’s house was a gathering place for many, including all of Sapphire and Re’Twan’s friends, and siblings.  She made sure that they were all part of her family

From a young age, Tara enjoyed playing and watching sports. She was a natural-born athlete, excelling in basketball, softball, volleyball and swimming. As an adult she enjoyed watching football every Sunday. Even more so, she enjoyed watching her son play sports growing up. She was a very vocal and attentive cheerleader at every one of his basketball, golf, football, and soccer games. In addition to sports, Tara loved cooking. For holidays and every other day, Tara brought together friends and family with her home style cooking. She was famous for her mac and cheese and barbecue.

On August 6, 2020, just a year before Tara passed away, she unexpectedly and tragically lost her son Re’Twan. As hard as it was for us to lose Tara just one year later, we are comforted knowing that she is now at peace with her son and her grandmother, Mary Furth.

Tara is survived by her daughter, Sapphire Flowers; her mother, Patt Colten; her father, Tom Colten; her four siblings: Nick Colten, Luke Colten, Bubs Biagi, and Nicole Biagi; her grandfather, Herb Furth; her Godmother, Sue Colten; and the extended Furth, Colten, Balenger, and Flowers families. In addition to her immediate family, Tara has left behind many more people who love her greatly.

Because of the rare disease that Tara was battling, she decided that she wanted to donate her brain and her body to the University of Minnesota for science research. She hoped that her body could be used to help others after she passed. Tara also wished to be buried together with her son, Re’Twan.

A Graveside Service for Tara and Re’Twan will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 11:00a.m. at the Willow River Cemetery Chapel in Hudson, will a Celebration of Life to follow.

Her mom would like to extend her heartfelt gratitude to her friends and neighbors who helped with medical and emotional support over the last 2 years. A special thank you to Dr. Britney Conway and her team of medical professionals from Regions Hospital, Lynnhurst Care Center, and Kinnic Health and Rehab for their devoted care of Tara before her passing.

My dear friend Nellie McKay sent Tara this birthday wish for her 40th birthday, which I played again for Tara on September 5, 2021 on her 41st birthday. The lyrics perfectly describe who Tara was and her life which wasn’t easy but despite all of her obstacles faced life challenged her with, her greatest achievement was realizing that she was capable of acquiring the self esteem to know that she was worthy, independent, strong, and loved.