Marlene A. Collins

Marlene A. Collins, 86, Detroit Lakes, MN, died Tuesday, September 19 at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes. Memorial Services for Marlene will be held October 4 at 10AM in United Methodist Church in Detroit Lakes.  Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to services.  Interment will be held in Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes. Marlene Alta Dummer was born June 14, 1931 in Minneapolis, MN to Walter and Emma (Leaman) Dummer.  Marlene grew up on the University of Minnesota Fruit Breeding Farm in the Victoria and Excelsior, MN area.   She graduated from Excelsior High School in Excelsior.   Following High School she worked as an administrative assistant in Minneapolis, Hopkins and finished her career with the St. Cloud School District.  On November 24, 1950, Marlene was united in marriage to Sanford Collins.  In 1951, they welcomed their first son Michael and in 1959 they were blessed with another son, Bradley.   As a family they relocated to Detroit Lakes in 1969.   Marlene was a wonderful homemaker and mother.  Living in the country, Marlene always grew fresh vegetables and had a beautiful flower garden every summer.   They enjoyed their family camping and hunting trips over the years and the many “dishes” that Marlene would prepare.  She was a great cook and made excellent ribs, homemade bread and potato dumplings to name a few.  Marlene volunteered her talented crocheting skills, making many baby hats for the OB unit at St. Mary’s Hospital every year.   Marlene was a devoted wife and always proud of the fact she was the spouse of a Minnesota Highway Patrolman, but most importantly a caring mother and grandmother who loved her family with all her heart. Marlene is survived by her two sons:  Michael (Rae Lee) Collins of Frazee, and Bradley (Liz) of Ft. Atkinson, WI.  She is also survived by her four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Sanford (2006) and one brother: Wayne Dummer.