Maurice D. Collins

Maurice D. Collins, 100 of Barnesville, Minnesota died Saturday, November 21, 2009 in the Barnesville Good Samaritan Society. Maurice, son of James and Kaja Carrie (Borgen) Collins was born October 17, 1909 in Barnesville where he attended Assumption School and grew to manhood. Maurice married Agnes Lay on October 20, 1936 in Henderson, Minnesota. They returned to Barnesville where Maurice was manager of Cities Service, a gas station where Wells Fargo Bank now stands. He later managed the Farmers Co-op Oil Company in Barnesville. In the late 1940s Maurice and his brother Harry opened Collins Oil Company in Barnesville which they owned and operated for many years. Their business included the service station and office on Front Street, a tire warehouse, bulk lube oil and the bulk oil service, delivering petroleum products to Barnesville residents and area farmers. In 1971, Maurice and Harry built the Tastee Freeze on Highway 34 outside of Barnesville, which they owned and operated for some years. Maurice retired in 1985. His first wife Agnes passed away in 1978 and on March 28, 1994 Maurice married Maggie Bertram at Assumption Catholic Church in Barnesville. They continued to live in Barnesville where they both liked to play cards, hit the casino once in while, and do some fishing on Lake Lizzie. Maggie passed away in 2001. Maurice continued to live in Barnesville and in October of 2007 became a resident of the care center where he lived until the time of his death. Maurice was a life long member of the Assumption Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Barnesville Senior Citizens. Maurice enjoyed pontoon rides around the lake where he could do a little fishing. After that there was always a card game and then a piece of dessert before he headed back to Barnesville. He also liked driving around area farms where he could check the progress of the crops. Maurice was a big fan of the Minnesota Twins and the Vikings. Maurice is survived by five children, Terry Collins of Barnesville, Patrick (Judith) Collins of Hudson, Wisconsin, James (Carol) Collins of Grant, Minnesota, Colleen (Roger) Possehl of Lake Lizzie and Pamela (Kenwood) Carr of Barnesville. He was also blessed with fifteen grandchildren, Ben Collins, Connie (James) Merrill, Patrick (Emily) Carr, Tanya (Brad) Waldron, Christopher (Tanya) Carr, Angela (Michael) Ellis, Sarah (Derrick) Montplaisir, James Carr, Jessica Strobel (Fianc Lee Genecki), John (Jackie) Collins, Gregory Collins, Erin (Eric) Vermilyea, Emily (Josiah) Lamb and Timothy Collins. One granddaughter, Victoria Collins was killed in a tragic car accident at the age of 16. We now have our very own ANGEL in heaven. Surviving Maurice are also his 22 great-grandchildren, Carrie Merrill, Amanda Merrill, Kelly Carr, Travis Carr, Evan Carr, Emma June Waldron, Abigail Waldron, Lydia Carr, Annica Carr, Liam Carr, Connor Ellis, Kaja Montplaisir, Joseph Montplaisir, Jack Montplaisir, Tori Strobel, Nicholas Strobel, Erik Collins, Kylee Marie Collins, Libby Diane Collins, Emmie Leigh Collins, Henry James Lamb, and Edward James Vermilyea; four step-children, Carol (Verlin) Aarness of Spirit Lake, Minnesota, B.J. (Patty) Bertram of Burnsville, Minnesota, Avis (Jerry) Flottemesch of Callaway, Minnesota and Keith (Connie) Bertram of Fargo; 16 step-grandchildren and numerous step-great grandchildren. Maurice was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Agnes and his wife Maggie; three brothers, Tom, Harry and Chet; two sisters, Minnie Noren and Norma Russell; one granddaughter Victoria Kaja Collins, daughter of Pat and Judy Collins and one step-daughter Beverly Bertram Golden. Funeral Mass: Monday at 1:00 in Assumption Catholic Church, Barnesville. Visitation: two hours before Mass at the church. Interment: St. Marys Catholic Cemetery, Barnesville. www.dobmeierfuneralhome.com