Kathleen Collins

Kathleen J. Collins, “Kathy”, 93, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully at Benedictine Living Community on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Kathy was born June 5, 1931, to George and Maxine (Larkin) Nekola in La Crosse. Kathy attended Aquinas High School, graduating in 1949. She married her high school sweetheart, Richard Quint (they were Homecoming Queen and King) in June, 1951, and they had three children. Following his unexpected death in 1954, she married John A. Collins, “Jack”, on September 10, 1955, and they had four children together.

Kathy worked many part-time jobs, but her devotion was to her family – supporting her husband and raising her children. She was an avid book-reader and loved crafts of all kinds – sewing, painting, knitting, crocheting, macramé, and many others. She enjoyed family camping, and she absolutely loved fishing – she actually went on a fishing trip to Canada with her sons.

Above all, though, she was a “people person”, with a drive to engage others with wit and empathy. She would go out of her way to make sure those around her felt, and knew, that she was invested in their well-being. Her bright outlook was contagious. She was always a treat to be around. We will all miss her unwavering love.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings; George (Jean), and a brother who passed away in infancy, and her granddaughters Jacqueline Fuller and Tiffany Noble. She is survived by her children; Cindi Quint, Richard Quint, Patsy (Frank) Noble, John (Bonnie), Terry, Brian, and Chris; five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Friends and family may call, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, from 11:00a.m.-12:00 noon at Blaschke-Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Avenue South, La Crosse, with a memorial service starting at 12:00 noon. Pastor Phillip Waselik will officiate, with burial to take place in Catholic Cemetery.