Obit: Collins, Clara A. (1914 – 2010)

Contact: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Collins, Kennedy, Irwin, Karaisz, Steiner

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) March 10, 2010

Collins, Clara A. (13 July 1914 – 5 March 2010)

Clara A. Collins, 95, of Black River Falls, and formerly of Cadott and Jefferson, died Friday, March 5, 2010, in the Pine View Care Center in Black River Falls.

She was born July 13, 1914, in Cadott to Thomas J. and Mary Agnes Kennedy) Irwin.  She was raised in Cadott, and she married Arthur E. Collins in Cadott Aug. 17, 1930.

The couple resided in Jefferson and moved to the Black River Falls area in 1988.  They also resided in the Pine View Terrace in Black River Falls.

Clara was a chef at the Meadow Spring Golf Club and the Countryside Home, both in Jefferson.  She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of America, both in Jefferson, and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Black River Falls.

Surviving are six sons, Duane (Joyce) Collins, Naples, FL, Dan Collins, Humbird, David (Sonny) Collins, Clovis, CA, Dan (Kathy) Collins, the Villages, F., Darrell (Judy) Collins, Rochester, MN, and Dennis (Pamela) Collins, Tucson, AZ; one daughter, Diana (Steve) Karaisz, Ft. Worth, TX; 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and two daughters-in-law, Karen and Joyce Collins.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Arthur, March 28, 1997; infant children, Donald and Dorothy; two sons, Douglas and Dale; her daughter-in-law, Kathy Collins; three brothers, Morris, Homer and Harold; and two sisters, Gladys and Harriet.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Black River Falls.  Reverend John Steiner will officiate, and burial will be at a later date in St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in Cadott.

Relatives and friends may call at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

Memorials may be given to “Kathy’s Fund” c/o the Black River Memorial Hospice, 711 W. Adams St. Black River Falls, WI. 54615

A celebration of Clara’s Life will be held at the Irwin Family Reunion to be held Aug. 7, 2010, at Riverview Park in Cadott.

Torgerson’s Funeral Service (715-284-4321), Black River Falls, is assisting the family with arrangements.