Doris M. Collins

Doris M.Collins

August 2, 1932 – May 15, 2023

VISITATION: Sunday, May 21st from 3pm to 5pm at the West Center Chapel.  SERVICES: Monday, May 22nd at 10am at Lutheran Church of the Master, East Campus.  Interment: Evergreen Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Lutheran Church of the Master Foundation or St. Croix Hospice.

To view a live broadcast of the Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.

Doris went home to be with her Lord on May 15, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years Eugene W. “Gene” Collins, her parents and siblings, 2 infant children and her grandson Christopher Branchaud.

She is survived by 5 children: Barb (Mike) Short, Keith (Becky) Collins, Bev (Jay) Branchaud, Karen (Joe) Kaul and Brian (Linda) Collins; 11 grandchildren: Andy (Cate) Short, Dan (Laurel) Short, Jeff Collins, Scott (Chris) Collins, Josh (Erin) Branchaud, Stephanie Branchaud, Mason Kaul, Afton Kaul, Emma Collins, Sarah Collins and Amelia Collins; and 7 great-grandchildren: Paxton, Preston and Cooper Short, Gavin and Avery Short and Miles and Eli Collins.

Doris was born on August 2, 1932, to Edward and Clara Layland in La Crosse WI, as the youngest of four children and grew up there. Doris and Gene met while working at the credit card office of Standard Oil in La Crosse and were married on July 30, 1953. They moved to Chicago, where Barb, Keith and Bev were born. In 1963 they moved to Omaha into the house where they would continue to live for the remainder of their lives and welcomed 2 more children, Karen and Brian.

Doris loved her Lord and her family more than anything. She had many talents and was an avid gardener and an accomplished seamstress and knitter, as well as a wonderful cook and baker. She dabbled in watercolor painting and making jewelry. She loved music and sang in the choir at Lutheran Church of the Master for many years. Doris also shared her talents in many ways, from volunteering at Habitat for Humanity to knitting prayer shawls at church. She possessed a sharp intelligence and rapier wit and was always ready to share a laugh. Doris was very well read and loved to discuss her latest favorite book with other book enthusiasts.

In their early retirement years, Gene and Doris traveled extensively throughout the US and many other countries, from Iceland to New Zealand. Together they enjoyed a lifelong love of learning, which was fed by their travels. In their later years, they loved having their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren come to visit. At their home, everyone was welcome, and there was always room for another place at their table.