James S. Collins 1917-1990

COLLINS, WOLF, REDEMPTA, STAFFORD, GODEK, WEIGHNER

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/10/2003 at 02:03:24

James S. Collins, 77, of Minnetonka, an officer and director of Impro Products Corp. in Waukon, Iowa, who was an authority on dairy cattle genetics, died Tuesday. He was delivering a speech in New York City when he suffered a heart attack. Collins, a native of Waukon, graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and later earned a doctorate in animal science from the University of Minnesota. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and worked for Cargill Inc. for several years before joining Impro Products Corp. He spent most of his career with the family-owned business, researching animal health, growth, production and well-being. He spoke at many seminars throughout the country and was an internationally known expert on the bovine growth hormone. Collins is survived by his wife, Lillian; a brother, Robert, of Waukon; sisters Mary Collins, of Waukon, Ida Wolf, of Prairie du Chien, Wis., and Sister Mary Redempta, of Dubuque. Services will be held at 10 a.m. today at St. John the Evangelist Church in Hopkins. Additional services will be held today and Saturday in Waukon.
-Minneapolis 'Star Tribune' January 19, 1990
(clipping - no other info.)

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Added by Connie Ellis (not related to the deceased) 7/26/2011:

James Stafford Collins, age 72, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, died Tuesday, January 16, 1990 in New York City where he had just finished speaking to a group of scientists on the effects of BGH on dairy cattle.

James was born February 24, 1917 in Waukon, Iowa to James and Ida (Stafford) Collins. He graduated from the Waukon High School in 1934, Waukon Junior College in 1936, Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa in 1952, and the University of Minnesota in 1954 majoring in animal breeding and minoring in dairy husbandry. He received his PhD from the University of Minnesota.From 1941 to 1946 he served as a First Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, first in field artillery and then in OSC in chemical warfare. On May 26, 1951 he married Lillian Godek. They have lived in Minnetonka for over 30 years.

James had worked as a DHIA supervisor, herdsman at Woodward State Hospital, farmed near Waukon, Iowa for a time, headed swine production and feeding for Cargill, salesman for Pigloo Corp. and Impro Products, Inc. At the time of his death he was employed by Impro.

A funeral mass will be held Friday, January 19 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church in Hopkins, Minnesota with Father Frederick Campbell officiating. A memorial mass will be held Saturday, January 20 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon, Iowa. Father John Moser will conduct the 10 a.m. services. Burial will be in Mt Olivet Cemetery, Waukon, Iowa with military graveside rites. Casket bearers are Tom Weighner, Paul Weighner, Jim Weighner, Steve Weighner, Mark Weighner, and Jim Campbell. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

James was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Thomas Collins and Patrick Collins, and 2 sisters, Alice Collins, and Catherine Weighner.

He is survived by his wife, Lillian; a brother, Robert "Bob" A. Collins of Waukon, Iowa; 3 sisters, Mary Elsie Collins of Waukon, Iowa, Ida Rose Wolf of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and Sr. Mary Redempta of Dubuque, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

~WAUKON DEMOCRAT, January 18, 1990