Collins, Arlene C.

Arlene C. Collins, 72, of 219 W. Orange St., West Branch, formerly of Hazel Green, Wis., and Dubuque, Iowa, died at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4, at Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque, Ill. Burial will be in East Dubuque Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 4 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Arlene was born March 8, 1937, in Raymond, Neb., the daughter of Joseph and Christina (Hromas) Fryc. She married Gerald T. Collins on Sept. 9, 1956, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Lincoln, Neb. Mr. Collins died Jan. 4, 2002. She graduated from Valparaiso, Neb., High School in 1955. She was formerly a CNA at Sinsinawa Mound, Sinsinawa, Wis., and also was a home health aide for the VNA in Dubuque.

Surviving are her children, Teri Collins (Mike) Niemeyer of West Branch, Mary Jo (Parnell) Pratt of Platteville, Wis., Sandie (Buzz) Duehr of East Dubuque, Ill., Thomas (Joan) Collins of Mount Hope, Wis., Patrick (Patty) Collins of East Dubuque and Dianna (Serge) Raiche of Bridgeport, Conn.; a brother-in-law, Gale Collins of Marysville, Kan.; her beloved pet, Casey; 21 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and four nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Fred; and a nephew, David.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Iowa Hospice, especially Kristen, Pam, Lori and Sara, also to her caregivers, Teri and Josie and Terry Clark and family for their help and also caring for Casey.