Kathleen D. Collins

Kathleen D. Collins, 55, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully in her home with family members by her side on Sunday, April 26, 2020.

She was born in La Crosse on November 21, 1964, to Lawrence and Janice (Novacek) Gordon.

Kathleen graduated from Central High School, class of 1982, Western Wisconsin TC (Associate’s Degree – Marketing), and from Viterbo University in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing (Cum Laude, National Dean’s List). She excelled in the healthcare IT industry as a senior consultant and implementation specialist, travelling the U.S. and earning multiple honors along the way.

She married Terrence M. Collins on May 13, 2000 and was a superlative, selfless stepmother to Terrence’s three children.

Kathleen will be remembered for her exuberance and energy, her outright ability to seize all the joy and adventure that life could offer. Her sense of fashion and her passion for elevating any event with festive accessories for everyone were her hallmarks – “the party starts when Kathy arrives!” Above all, Kathleen was genuine – she never played both sides – she didn’t manipulate – you always knew where you stood – and this endearing, refreshing quality attracted many, many people to become and remain her friend.

She was preceeded in death by her parents and two brothers, Steven Gordon and Thomas Gordon.

Survivors include her husband Terrence M. Collins; one brother; Lawrence L. Gordon Jr. (Peg), of Chillicothe, Ohio; two sisters; Sandra (John) Schlichenmeyer of La Crosse, and Mary J. Gordon of West Salem; three step-children; Terrence John, Leigh Shannon, and Sean Patrick; nieces Carie Finch, Lisa Warth, Chrissy Swift, Suzanne Cryder, Billie Jo Woods, and nephews Craig Schlichenmeyer, and Kevin Schlichenmeyer; eleven great nieces and nephews; and three great-great nieces and nephews.

A Celebration-Of-Life event will be announced at a future date.