Thos. Collins Sr. passed away Wednesday, 10 a.m., April 25, 1945, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ted Housen. He had been in poor health for the past year and half. He was stricken with pneumonia Sunday, April 22, and passed away Wednesday, April 25. Mr. Collins was born in Scott county, Belle Plaine, Minn., Aug. 3, 1861, the son of John Collins and Annastasia Maher. At the age of 9 he moved with his parents to a homestead in Belle River, where he grew to manhood. On Nov. 14, 1887, he was united in marriage to Katherine Botzet, also of Belle River. Mrs. Collins passed away Oct. 19, 1942. To this union 12 children were born, four of whom preceded him in death, Johanna in October, 1906, infant daughter Aug. 12, 1908, Annastasia, April 26, 1922, and Wm. P., July 16, 1944.
The surviving children are Thos. N. Collins, Alexandria; Mrs. Aug. Hedlund (Mary), Miltona; John L. Collins, Osakis; Mrs. C. E. Pasch (Alice) Osakis; Jos. P. Collins, Osakis; Mrs. Ted Housen (Winnifred), Osakis; Mike E. Collins, Osakis; Roy P. Collins, Nelson and two adopted granddaughters, Mrs. Wm. Jerome (Evelyn) of Carlos, Mrs. Elmer Elsner (Anne) of Osakis; 18 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one brother, J. W. Collins, of Baudette, Minn., also survive.
Mr. Collins lived in the community all his life, having taken a homestead adjoining his parents' home. After his parents' death he purchased the old home place, where he made his home until Nov. 15, 1943, when he went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Ted Housen. Mr. Collins was a kind neighbor and was respected by all who knew him. He held office on the school board in Dist. 41 for 35 years.
Funeral services were conducted at St. Nicholas church in Belle River April 27, at 10 a.m. Burial was made in St. Nicholas cemetery with Rev. Rather Rams officiating. The pallbearers were S. B. Juberian, Wm. Quinn, Martin Hagan, J. C. Miller, Henry Quinn and John Kraemer.
(Park Region Echo, 3 May 1945)