Mary Lou Collins

Mary L. Collins, 92 of Wabasha, MN (formally of Buffalo City WI) passed away peacefully the evening of February 5, 2025. Mary was born on July 24, 1932 to Christ and Algundia (Gross) Grotjahn on the Alma bluff. She attended Mill Creek School and graduated from Alma High School in 1950. Mary followed her sister to Washington DC to work for the federal government. It was there that she met and married Clifton Collins. They raised their four children in Maryland. 

In 1991, Clifton and Mary retired to Buffalo City, where they enjoyed watching their grandsons play and their garden grow. Mary loved reading, watching the Hallmark channel and a good bargain. She and Clifton frequented yard sales and auctions, always looking for a deal. She cherished and loved her family deeply and was particularly proud of her four grandsons. 

 Mary is survived by a son, Lee (Sherri) Collins of Alma, and three daughters, Brenda Collins of Salisbury NC, Denise (Billy) Sisemore of Knob Noster, MO and Cherri Collins of Salisbury NC. She is also survived by four grandsons, Timothy (Allison) Collins of Eden, NC, Joshua Collins of Alma, WI and Billy and Jacob Sisemore of Knob Noster, MO. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and siblings. 

 The family is extremely grateful for the loving and compassionate care she received from St. Elizabeth’s Assisted Living, Long Term Care and from St. Croix Hospice. 

A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2025 from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Talbot Family Funeral Home, Alma Chapel.  Burial will be held on a later date when Mary will be interred with her husband at the National Cemetery in Salisbury, North Carolina. 

  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Gundersen St. Elizabeth’s Community Development Fund at https://www.gundersenhealth.org/locations/st-elizabeths/foundation.