Russell Raymond Collins, Jr.
February 14, 1940 — March 19, 2018
Russell Raymond Collins, Jr., son of Russell Raymond Collins, Sr. and Elizabeth Schmidt, was born on February 14, 1940 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Russell grew up and attended school in Council Bluffs. He then went to work at his uncle’s mink farm outside Council Bluffs. Russell joined the United States Airforce in 1958 and served his country honorably until his discharge in 1963.
On December 24, 1964, he was united in marriage to Bonnie May Bergantzel in Council Bluffs. Four children were born to this union: Rusty, Jake, Jesse and Wendy. Russell worked at Pillsbury in Council Bluffs for twelve years, then at National Roofing for ten years before starting his own family construction business.
In 2001, the family made their home in rural Shelby County near Elk Horn, Iowa where he continued to run his construction business until his retirement in 2007. Russell loved being outdoors, especially the family hunting and fishing trips in Canada. His favorite passion in life were his grandchildren and nothing made him happier than spending time with them.
Russell died at his home in rural Shelby County, Iowa on March 19, 2018 having attained the age of seventy-eight years, one month and five days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie May, brother, Gary Collins and sister, Linda McKeigan.
He is survived by his children: Rusty Collins and his wife Mary of Omaha, Nebraska; Jake Collins and his wife Jennie of Stuart, Iowa; Wendy and her husband Tim Goodman of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Jesse Collins and his wife Marianne of Harlan, Iowa; and Marcella and her husband Dale Wigen of Tucson, Arizona; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; siblings: Pat and her husband Erv Rowland of Council Bluffs; Ruth and her husband John Fichter of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Steven Collins of Elk Horn, Iowa and Brian Collins of Roanoke, Virginia; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
On December 24, 1964, he was united in marriage to Bonnie May Bergantzel in Council Bluffs. Four children were born to this union: Rusty, Jake, Jesse and Wendy. Russell worked at Pillsbury in Council Bluffs for twelve years, then at National Roofing for ten years before starting his own family construction business.
In 2001, the family made their home in rural Shelby County near Elk Horn, Iowa where he continued to run his construction business until his retirement in 2007. Russell loved being outdoors, especially the family hunting and fishing trips in Canada. His favorite passion in life were his grandchildren and nothing made him happier than spending time with them.
Russell died at his home in rural Shelby County, Iowa on March 19, 2018 having attained the age of seventy-eight years, one month and five days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie May, brother, Gary Collins and sister, Linda McKeigan.
He is survived by his children: Rusty Collins and his wife Mary of Omaha, Nebraska; Jake Collins and his wife Jennie of Stuart, Iowa; Wendy and her husband Tim Goodman of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Jesse Collins and his wife Marianne of Harlan, Iowa; and Marcella and her husband Dale Wigen of Tucson, Arizona; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; siblings: Pat and her husband Erv Rowland of Council Bluffs; Ruth and her husband John Fichter of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Steven Collins of Elk Horn, Iowa and Brian Collins of Roanoke, Virginia; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
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