Obituary: Bonnie Collins

Funeral Services

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 11:00 AM (Mountain).

First Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota

Interment

Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Print Obituary

In memory of

Bonnie Collins

of Rapid City, formerly of Milesville, South Dakota, died on Monday, March 21, 2022 at Clarkson Mt. View Healthcare Center in Rapid City at the age of 101

Bonnie Ruth (Radway) Collins was born on August 23, 1920 in Pierre, SD to Carey and Irene (Gittings) Radway. She joined her older brother Raymond followed by younger brothers Robert and Rex. Bonnie was the only girl and believed she was the boss and caregiver to her brothers. She grew up on the family farm in Billsburg, SD, attended country grade school and graduated from Philip High School in 1938. She then completed business school in Chilicothe, Missouri. After business school, she moved to Chicago, lived with Raymond and Marion and worked for Time Magazine. Because she was homesick, she returned home with her parents who visited at Christmas time.

Bonnie and Randall Collins married on December 30, 1940. They farmed and operated the Milesville Post Office. Eight children were born while living on the farm: Karen Rae, Sonia, Terry, Jerry, Ross, Debbie, Jan and Randy. During that time, highlights for Bonnie were the dances at the Milesville Hall, card parties and socials. Walking through a blizzard with three young children was remembered but not as a pleasant experience.

The family moved to Rapid City in 1959, and Bonnie lived in that home for sixty years. She worked outside the home after the kids were older and retired from Landstrom’s Black Hills Gold Creations at the age of 73. She enjoyed her retirement years tending to her home and beautiful yard. She welcomed family and friends, fed everyone hungry or not, and then played cards.

Bonnie is survived by sons: Ross (Debi) and Randy (Becky) Collins; daughters: Sonia (John) Duffy, Debra Krull (Gary Kruse), and Jan Jordan, nineteen grandchildren, forty-three great-grandchildren, and eleven great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Randall; her parents, Carey and Irene; brothers: Raymond (Marion), Robert (Mildred), Rex (Jeanne) Radway; daughter Karen Rae in infancy, sons: Terry and Jerry Collins; grandsons: Kelly Forrester, Lance Collins, and James Dickey; three nieces and two nephews.
The family would like to thank everyone at Clarkson Health Care for the wonderful care they gave our Mom, Gram, and Great-Bonnie.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2022 at First Lutheran Church in Philip.

Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Open the Memorial Folder

FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday, April 2, 2022 - 11:00 a.m.
First Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Randy Phipps

MUSIC
“Beyond The Rainbows End”
“How Great Thou Art”
“Go Rest High on That Mountain”

USHERS
John Alvarran - Gerry Johnson

PALLBEARERS
Jason Collins - Christopher Collins - Chad Collins
Clay Collins - Shaun Callahan - Kevin Callahan
Brandon Krull - Tucker Jordan - Trey Collins

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

Sign the guestbook

Loved this lady!I sat beside her for a number of years at Landstroms.Bless you Bonnie. ~ Cheryl Neugebauer Hermosa SD (4/10/2022)
Watched the service from Brandon, No. on our way home from Flat. ~ Charlie & Diane Gittings Philip,Sd (4/2/2022)
Dear Sonia, All my love, I think I can come tomorrow and still drive home to Hartford afterwards! I have been here over a week for several appointments and other things. I thought your Mom was a neat and lovely lady! What a long long life! You all have treated her so beautifully, all this time! Love and prayers dear Classmate, Mary Kay ~ Mary Kay Sandal Hartford/Philip, SD (4/1/2022)
Sending love and prayers during this difficult time. Jan, you and your family are in our thoughts ~ Rex & Sheila Kunick Glendive MT (3/28/2022)
My deepest condolences to you and your family, Jan. You are all in our thoughts during this time. ~ Koni Berreth and family Rapid City, SD (3/27/2022)
Remember the good times and always keep them in your heart. Prairie prayers from Plainview. ~ Jim and Vonnie O’ Dea Howes, SD (3/23/2022)
Sending hugs to all of you Sonia. Your mother lived a long and special life. ~ Linda Stilwell Kadoka. SD (3/22/2022)