Denise Collins

Life History for Denise Collins
Denise Larsen Collins, age 59 of Osakis passed away on Tuesday, Jan 6, 2015 at the Community Memorial Home in Osakis where she had been a resident.
On November 29, 1955 a baby girl was born to Don and Janice (Lovgren) Larsen in Alexandria, MN. She was named Denise LaRae and she was the first of their four children. As a young girl Denise joined and excelled in various 4-H projects and was an active member who looked forward to annual State Fair trips. She would remain a yearly attendee and fan of the fair. Denise was a graduate of Osakis High School with the Class of 1974. She then attended St. Olaf College in Northfield and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She began her nursing career by working at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. In 1978 Denise married Mark Davis in Osakis. She worked at various health care facilities over the years, primarily in the metro area and with an emphasis on long term care patients. She also made time to continue her education toward a Master's Degree from St. Cloud State University. Denise had a kind and caring manner that put her patients at ease. She had a compassion for others that shone in all she did. That extended to the animal kingdom as well, for Denise had many various pet cats and dogs over the years. In 1995 Denise married Jeffrey Collins in south Minneapolis. They attended the Parkway United Church of Christ. Denise was a former member of the First Prebsyterian Church in Osakis.
Some of Denise's favorite things included traveling, reading, tending her flowers and cheering for the Green Bay Packers. She had a life-long love for music, from playing in the high school band to taking in concerts and following the musical career of her husband's band, Randy and the Wolf Pack. She also enjoyed good food and trying new restaurants and food trends. Her favorite treat however was anything with chocolate. Her gentleness and smile will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Jeff Collins of Minneapolis; her parents, Don and Jan Larsen of Osakis; siblings, Shari (Dennis) Maloney of Osakis, David (Kim) Larsen of Billings, MT and Carla (Chad) Mathews of Osakis; 10 nieces and nephews and 3 great nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death are her grandparents.
Memorial services for Denise will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 2:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Osakis with Rev. Tim Sutton officiating. Organist is Ellen Bangtson and special music will be sung by Darla Schaefer. Honorary urn bearers are her nieces and nephews, Shaun, Matthew and Adam Maloney, Jamie Mae Smith, Jess and James Larsen, Tanner and Taye Mathews, David and Cheryl Randall.
Arrangements are with the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.