Mary Margaret Collins

Mary Margaret Collins was born on May 14, 1924, the daughter of James E. and Mary G. (Sheridan) McNellis, in DeGraff, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in DeGraff. She grew up in DeGraff and attended DeGraff grade School and then graduated from Benson High School in 1942.  On September 18, 1945 Mary was united in marriage to David Peter Collins at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church. This union was blessed with over 47 years of marriage.

Mary lived her entire life in DeGraff with the exception of four years when they lived in West Texas where Dave worked in the Oil Fields. In her younger years Mary worked at McNellis Grocery Store and part time at the Post Office for one year. She was a home maker for her family. She was a member of the St. Bridget’s Altar and Rosary Society, and made baby quilts and embroidered dish towels for the San Lucas Mission Group, for which she received in March 2000, the Bishop’s Medal of Service. Mary was a member at the Benson Golf Club where she loved to golf with her lady friends.

Mom loved having family get-togethers with card playing and lots of laughs. She enjoyed cooking and making desserts was her specialty. She was called from this life on Monday morning, April 22, 2019 at the Meadow Lane Care Center in Benson. She attained the age of 94 years, 11 months, and 8 days.

Mary is survived by her four children Patricia (Leo) Schluender, of Spring Lake Park, Rose Bailey, of Litchfield, David Collins of Rosemount, Sue (Sam Packer) Collins of Springfield, Virginia; a daughter in law Michelle Collins of St. Paul; seven grandchildren, Dan (Linda) Schluender, Kevin (Kris Mellstrom) Schluender, Rory Collins, James (Joanna) Shinnick, Shannon McMains, Jessica (Mark) Schultz, and Jacob (Jackie) Bailey; nineteen great grandchildren, Sara Schluender, Alec Schluender, Kyle Schluender, Ariana Schluender, Dolan Schluender, Izabelle Schluender, Ava Schluender, Nick Schinnick, Brenden Shinnick, Patrick Shinnick, Killian (Rachel) McMains, Adian McMains, Abby McMains, Hunter Pitts, Harley Pitts, William Pitts, Olivia Schultz, Lucille Shinnick, and Jensen Bailey; two great great grandchildren; Apollo McMains and Wolfgang McMains;  sisters in law, Vene McNellis of DeGraff and Veronica (Evan) Olson of Valley City, North Dakota; nieces and nephews, and several other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents James and Mary McNellis, her husband Dave Collins on August 19, 1993, her son William Collins, brothers Dan and his wife Dorothy, her twin brother James McNellis, Michael (Mick) McNellis. Blessed be her memory.