Obituary of Katherine Rosa Collins

Katherine Rosa Collins Blythedale, MO Funeral services for Katherine Collins, formerly of Newton, IA, will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at the Pence~Reese Funeral Home in Newton, who have been entrusted with the arrangements. A visitation with the family will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home. As an expression of sympathy, memorials in Katherine's name are being designated. Katherine Rosa Collins, 78, the daughter of William John Conrad and Addie Cornelia (Huff) Gronwold, was born May 6, 1931, in Madison County, Iowa. She was a graduate of the Van Meter, Iowa High School, Class of 1951. On January 27, 1952, Katherine was united in marriage with Bernard E. "Sam" Collins in Van Meter. She devoted her life to her husband, her nine children, family and friends. She enjoyed spending time with her family and grandchildren. Katherine was employed as a cab driver for Bucklin's Cab, and later in food services for the Newton Schools, at Berg and Central School, retiring in 1996. A longtime resident of the Newton area, she moved to Blythedale, MO, in 1998. Katherine died on Thursday evening, April 29, 2010, at the Harrison County Community Hospital in Bethany, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Sam on October 31, 1992; a daughter Kathleen in infancy; and a grandson Damon. Those left to honor Katherine's memory include her six daughters: LaDonna (Donald) Thompson of Niangua, MO, Marlene Trease of Newton, Nancy Marie Collins of Ishpeming, MI; Eugenia Ann (Bradley) Adams of Newton, Carla Jo (James) Brake of Newton, and Tillena Fay (James) Thompson of Grinnell; her three sons: Terry W. (Karla) Collins of Newton, Randall R. Collins of Des Moines and Jay A. Collins of Omaha, NE; her life companion Andy J. Cook of Blythedale; her 22 grandchildren & 28 great-grandchildren; a brother John Conrad Gronwold of Van Meter; her sisters: AnnaBelle Sheets of Des Moines, Hannah (Chuck) Coney of Ames and Rosalie (Charles) Baker of Van Meter; many nieces and nephews; and her many friends. Calling hours: Visitation with the family will be 11:30 am - 1 pm at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, 310 N. 2nd Ave. E., Newton, IA. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1:00 at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, 310 N. 2nd Ave. E., Newton with Dottie Black, Foursquare Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Newton.