Lois Collins

Lois Jean Collins, 92, died November 3, 2024 at the Keokuk Country Health Center in Sigourney, Iowa. She was born August 1, 1932, to Verle Clifford and Blanche Elizabeth (Knox) Utterback near Hayesville. She grew up on the family farm near Hayesville, Iowa. She attended Chastine Rural School through the 8th grade and graduated from Sigourney High School in 1949, ranked 3rd in the class of 49 members of the class. On March 6, 1955 she married Norman Lee Collins at the Sigourney Christian Church.

Lois was a legal secretary for Goeldner & Goeldner Law Office in Sigourney from November 1949 to November 1955. She worked as a tax preparer for many years. After the death of Ralph Goeldner in January of 1985, Lois continued as a tax preparer for John Wehr Law Office for the next 35 years retiring on April 1, 2020. 

She was a member of Sigourney Christian Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. She was on the church board, member of the choir, deaconess and was the organist for 35 years. Lois and Norman were member of the Keswick and Sigourney Western Style Square Dance Club.

Lois was an avid Sigourney Savage, Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs sports fan. She enjoyed crocheting making things out of plastic canvas, making scrapbooks of the Sigourney area and attending the Iowa State Fair. Lois was very involved in the community she served as the chairperson of the Open Class and volunteered at the Keokuk County Expo, Keokuk County Hospital Activity Room, Keokuk County Historical Society and at the Old Stone House.  

She was preceded in death by her husband Norman on October 19, 2016; parents; grandparents Fred and May Knox and Chell and Artie Utterback; stepmother Velna Adams Utterback; sister Alma Irene Tallman and step-brother Byrl Adams. 

She is survived by her children Lyle and wife Donna Collins of Oskaloosa; Keith Collins and Nadine Steinke of Sigourney; Karen Morris of Sigourney; Amy & husband Kurt Westhoff of West Des Moines, IA and Nancy Collins of Sigourney. Six grandchilden: Lee and wife Melissa Collins of Adel, IA; Leslie and husband Michael Hirons of Johnston, IA ; Nathan Morris of Sigourney; Kyle Westhoff and Kara Westhoff of West Des Moines, IA; Claire Collins of Ottumwa, IA. Six great-grandchildren: Trey, Sierra & Cooper Collins of Adel, IA; Annabel, Jacob & Emily Hirons of Johnston, IA. Two sisters: Rose Torgerson, Tucson, AZ; Avis Keen, Phoenix, AZ.

Memorials may be given to the Sigourney Christian Church, Sigourney Pride, or the Keokuk County Health Center Activity Room
 
Visitation: Wednesday November 6, 2024 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Holm Funeral Home
 Memorial Service: Thursday November 7, 2024 10:30 a.m. Sigourney Christian Church
Burial: Pleasant Grove Cemetery-Sigourney