Obituary of Dorothy Collins

Dorothy Margaret (Willison) Collins widow of Edwin Jackson Collins passed from this life on March 31, 2008 at her home in Burlington, Colorado. She was born to Stephen David and Amy Elizabeth Willison on January 28, 1909 in the family home near Hillsboro, North Dakota. She was 99 years, 2 months and three days old. She had lived in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and finally Colorado and resided in Burlington for the past fourteen years. Her schooling included being a high school graduate from Hunter, North Dakota and two years of college at North Dakota Agriculture College in Fargo, North Dakota and business school in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. She was active in the Order of the Easter Star and a past matron in Hunter, North Dakota. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hunter, North Dakota. She enjoyed her family, reading, ceramics, and playing cards. She especially enjoyed Burlington’s pinochle club on Wednesday afternoons. She was united in marriage to Edwin Collins on February 15, 1930 in Kearney, Nebraska. To this union were born, Donna Maria, Gary Lee, Nancy Jean, and Terry Bruce. She was preceded in death by her husband Ed, children Donna, Gary, and Terry, and two brothers Clinton Willison, and Lyle Willison and her parents. Mrs. Collins was proud of her family and her independence and was known for her bravery and kindness to others. Besides her daughter, Nancy and husband Jesse James Jr. she is survived by two graddaughters, Bonita (Gordon) McManus and Donna Williams, and two great grandchildren Riley Williams and Rachel McManus. Through out her life she was very proud of all of her families accomplishments. She is also survived by her numerous nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends. A verse to live by: The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7. Graveside services for Mrs. Collins were held on Monday, April 7, 2008 at 10:30 AM at the Hunter Cemetery in Hunter, North Dakota. A visitation was held on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at the Love Funeral Home in Burlington, Colorado. Burial followed at the Hunter Cemetery in Hunter, North Dakota. Memorial may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society or the First Presbyterian Church in Hunter, North Dakota and may be left at or sent to the Kit Carson State Bank, 2121 Rose Avenue, Burlington, Colorado 80807.