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Dorothy E. Collins
Born: 3/19/1915
Died: 11/10/2015
Age: 100
Community: Columbiaville, MI
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Dorothy Elizabeth Collins, age 100, of Columbiaville was born March 19, 1915 in McLeod County, Minnesota to Maynard and Golda (Hilts) Alexander, died November 10, 2015 at McLaren - Lapeer Region surrounded by her loving family.
Most of her early years were spent in Redfield, South Dakota, where she graduated from the local high school in 1932. She went on to major in music and English at Dakota Wesleyan University, graduating in 1936, and later earned a library science degree from the University of Michigan.
After spending five years teaching in South Dakota, Dorothy came to Columbiaville in 1941 to teach at the high school. Over the next 39 and a half years, she held many different jobs within the LakeVille district, including teacher and librarian.
After retirement, she remained active in the music department for many years, playing the piano in school musicals and accompanying students at Solo & Ensemble competitions. The LakeVille Board of Education honored her in 2012 by naming the high school media center after her.
She married Chester Collins on August 27, 1944, and they had two children together.
Dorothy belonged to and was Past President of Women’s Service League, Columbiaville Historical Society, Columbiaville Rotary and the Rebekah Lodge.
She was a member of Columbiaville United Methodist Church, where she was sometimes choir director, and played the organ for Sunday services for more than 60 years.
Over the years, Dorothy was awarded many honors, including the Distinguished Service Award by the Great Teachers Foundation in 1990, the Edgar A. Guest Masonic Award for Community Service in 1991 and the Paul Harris Fellow Award by the Columbiaville Rotary in 1997.
Earlier this year, she was recognized as one of three centenarians of the year by the Valley Area Agency on Aging, and as a Distinguished Alumni of Dakota Wesleyan University.
Dorothy is survived by her son, David (Bobbi) Collins; daughter, Beverly (Joseph) Heitkamp; grandchildren Lynn Heitkamp, Jessi (Brad) Smith, Kayla Collins, Elizabeth Collins, Brianne Collins, Janice (Scott) Sakall, Jeffrey (Melina) Heitkamp; many nieces and nephews; special friend and caregiver Kathy Lagassi; and four great-grandsons.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Chester Collins; parents, Maynard and Golda Alexander; brother, Harold Alexander; sister, Doris Phillips; and many brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, November 12 and 3-9 p.m. Friday, November 13 at Jansen Family Funeral Home - Columbiaville. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 14 at the Columbiaville United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. Esther Irish, and followed by interment at West Deerfield Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in memory of Dorothy may be made to Columbiaville United Methodist Church or the LakeVille Music Boosters for the Dorothy Collins Scholarship.
Share memories and condolences online with the family at www.jansenfuneralhome.com
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| Visitation |
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11/12/2015 |
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6:00 PM |
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