Collins, Bonita R. 1929-2009

COLLINS, MOORE, REICHELT

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/17/2009 at 12:07:26

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, February 17, 2009

Bonita R. Collins, 79, of Remsen, formerly of Flandreau, S.D., died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009 at the Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen.

She was born May 3, 1929 in Sioux Falls, S.D., the daughter of Rueben and Mary (Moore) Reichelt. She attended grade school in Tea, S.D., and graduated in 1947 from Washing High School in Sioux Falls. She attended SDSU in Brookings, S.D., and earned a degree with a double major in journalism and home economics.

Bonita taught country school while she was getting her degree. She taught for 15 years in several schools in Iowa and South Dakota.

Bonita married James Collins on Jan. 21, 1965, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Tea. She was a homemaker and very involved in raising their children.

In 1999, she moved to Prairie Crossings Assisted Living in Brookings, S.D., until 2001 when she moved to Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen.

Bonita kept a diary throughout her life and also enjoyed reading, sewing, taking care of her kittens, music and loved to dance.

She is survived by her husband, James of Flandreau, S.D.; two daughters, Theresa Collins of San Antonio, Texas and Laura Collins of Le Mars; and a son, Arnold "Arnie" Collins of Brookings; a brother, Irvin Reichelt of Tea, S.D., and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Alberta Lammers.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Flandreau, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation begins at 5 pm Wednesday at Skroch Funeral Chapel in Flandreau, with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service.