Sandra Ann Collins, 77, an incredibly loving mother, mother in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, passed away on March 13, 2024, peacefully at her home.
Sandra was born in Ontario, Wis., on Dec. 21, 1946, to Harry and Bernadine (Curry) Downing. She grew up on a farm outside of Ontario and graduated from Brookwood High School in 1964. On April 16, 1966, Sandra married her soulmate Dannie Collins at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, with a reception following in Ontario, Wis. They shared 52 wonderful years of marriage and together raised four children. Sandra worked as a clerk at Clark Oil Gas Station, and then worked at Prent Corp. until she retired.
Sandra lived a full life. She enjoyed dancing the night away with her husband, along with their shared love of fishing and traveling all over the U.S. Sandra also was an avid sports fan, with the Green Bay Packers being her favorite. Sandra spent many days sitting in the bleachers, cheering on her kids and grandkids, supporting all of their activities. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, and family were all a significant part of her life. She cared deeply about everyone around her, always keeping up to date on the happenings in their lives. In her free time, she loved playing cards, solving puzzles, and especially reading books. Sandra’s memory was sharp as a tack! She enjoyed reminiscing and sharing her memories with others; one of her favorites was her catching “a big one” with a light pole and a little red and white jig. Sandra will be dearly missed by all the lives she has touched.
Sandra is survived by her daughter, Shelley (Ben) Wellnitz of Janesville, and her son, Troy (Carol) Collins of Potosi; her grandchildren, Mitch (Jess), Greg (Sarah), Devin, and Josh (Lindsey) Wellnitz, Erica (Jase) George, Felicia, Jordan, Trevor, and Selinah Collins, Corey Goad, and Travis, Tanner, and Cal Collins; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Jerry (Rita) Downing of Janesville; two sisters, Rosella Pohl of Ontario and Colleen Springman of Tomah; two sisters-in-law, Janeen (Ken) Jameson of Tomah and Shirley Dogs of Mauston; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dannie; her parents; her parents-in-law; her infant daughter, Danielle; a son, Rick Collins; a son in-law, Greg Wellnitz; a brother, Robert Downing; a sister, Janet Tainter; four brothers-in-law, David Springman, Robert Collins, Lloyd Switz, and Carl Dogs; and three sisters-in-law, Sandra Johnson, Shirley Collins, and Emma Switz.
A prayer service will be at 12 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at Grace Community Church in Ontario, Wis., with Pastor Bruce Milleman officiating, Burial will follow in Hilltop Rest Cemetery in Ontario. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4–7 p.m., with a prayer service starting at 6:30 p.m., on Friday, March 22, at the Apfel Wolfe Funeral Home in Janesville, Wis. The visitation will continue Saturday at Grace Community Church from 10:30 a.m. until time of service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude’s Hospital, or the Ontario American Legion. Online condolences can be shared at www.apfelwolfe.com.
