James L. "Jim" Collins 1927-2009

COLLINS, REIMER, NIELSEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/20/2013 at 15:12:29

DANBURY - James L. "Jim" Collins passed away at the age of 82 years, 4, months, and 16 days.
Visitation, the vigil wake service, and the Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus were all held on Sunday, July 5, 2009, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury.

The Funeral Mass was held on Monday, July 6, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury. Officiating was Rev. Terry Roder. The Message in Music was led by accompanist and vocalist Julie Hamann who led the congregation in singing "Amazing Grace," "How Great Thou Art," "On Eagles Wings," and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." The Lector was Tom Mohrhauser. Gift Carriers were Sarah Dreckman and Stephanie Collins. Lay Ministers were Deb Collins and Denny Ortner.

Pallbearers were Bill Mohrhauser, Luke Mohrhauser, John Mohrhauser, Chris Collins, Eran Collins, Dan Conway, Cory Collins, Jeff Plautz, and Brian Plautz. Interment was in Danbury Catholic Cemetery at Danbury.

Armstrong Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

James L. "Jim" Collins was born on February 16, 1927, on a farm northwest of Danbury, the son of Leo Albert and Elizabeth (Reimer) Collins. He first attended country school and later received his education at St., Patrick's Academy in Danbury. After the death of his father, he started farming.

On December 28, 1950 Jim was united in marriage to DeVilda Nielsen at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury. He continued to farm until 1966, when he started Collins Feed Store in Danbury which he continued to own and operate until he retired in 1994.

He was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the church Finance Committee, and a 50 year member of the Knights of Columbus. He was active in his community as a leader of the Garfield 4-H Club, serving on the Danbury City Council, the Danbury Community Club, the Danbury Volunteer Fire Department, and as a driver for the Danbury Volunteer Ambulance.

Jim and DeVilda loved to travel. He went parasailing in Cancun at the age of 68. He had a quick wit that made him fun to be around. The greatest pleasure he found in life was spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, attending every one of their sporting events that he possibly could.

Survivors include DeVilda, his wife of 58 years; four children, Ed Collins and his wife Deb, of Sergeant Bluff, IA, Donna Mohrhauser and her husband Tom of Mapleton, IA, Ted Collins and his wife Ann of Sergeant Bluff, IA, and Tim Collins and his wife Joan of Carrollton, TX; nine grandchildren, Sarah Dreckman and her husband Jason, Bill Mohrhauser and his wife Franny, Luke Mohrhauser and his fiancee Megan Armstrong, John Mohrhauser and his girl¬friend Niki Gustin, Chris Collins and his Wife Kristen, Eran Collins, Dan Conway, Cory Collins and Stephanie Collins; great grandchildren, the "Hooters" as Jim called them, Hannah, Alec, Caleb, Brayden, and Alyssa Dreckman and a great grandson, Bennett, born July 4th, 2009; one sister-in-law Ernestine Collins of Sioux City, IA; one brother-in-law Jim Stanton of California; numerous nieces and nephews good friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother Wayne Collins and two sisters Berneice Carlson and Delores Stanton.