Laurel Ann Collins

Laurel Collins was born November 26th, 1947, in Vona, Colorada to Robert and Millicent Vinduska. She passed peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Wednesday October 21st, 2026. She was known as Laurie to friends and family. She was a devout catholic, raised in Pilsen, KS. She was taken ill as a baby, during the polio epidemic and spent her youth overcoming the weakness in her body. By the age of ten, she kicked free of the braces that were holding her back. She spent the rest of her youth fishing, hunting arrowheads and riding her bike around Pilsen, visiting her grandparents, aunt’s uncles and many cousins. In February 1969, she graduated from Wichita dental hygiene school. Later that year, while working for the VA in Wichita, she met Ronald Collins. They fell in love and were joined in holy matrimony at St John Nepomucene catholic church on September 30th ,1972. They had a triple wedding ceremony with two of her sisters, Kay and Carol. Laurie loved and accepted Rons three daughters from a previous marriage. Even though the girls didn’t live with them, they prayed for them at every meal and bedtime every night. One year later, Laurie delivered a beautiful baby boy. To their lifelong sorrow, they lost “Baby Ron”, ten minutes after his delivery. But Ron and Laurie held onto each other and their faith. Laurie and Ron were blessed by Gods good grace and welcomed eight more children into the world. Their love grew with their family. Laurie’s strong faith and love of family was unfaltering. Laurie nursed Ron for years, after he lost his sight and his health began to decline, until his death on September 27th, 2012. She refused to give in to grief and threw herself into her devotion to God. She surrounded her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with loving care and helped give them the strength to get through anything.

Laurie was proceeded in death by her husband Ronald Collins, her parents Robert and Millicent Vinduska, her sister Kay Tharp (David), Carol Sponsel (Clarence) her infant son, “Baby Ron”, and her granddaughter Taylor. She is survived by her Siblings Joseph (Tish), Robert (Laura) and Lillian. Her stepchildren Barb Richards (Steve), Nicole Chatfield, Colleen Lehnert. Her Children Mary Smallwood (Frankie), Ronald Collins (Angie), Kenneth Collins, Joseph Collins (Amiee), Laura Ritz (Keith), Patricia Collins, Teresa Reck (Derrick), Gemma Wilson (Terry). Her grandkids Travis, Devyn, Frankie Jr, Erin, Cody, Brad, Cheyenne, Tim, Tanja, Claire, Brian, Lance, Sean, Payton, Brenden, LeAnna, Nevaeh, Kale, Maddy, Liam, Brayden, Raegan, Kaylee, Anthony, Savanah, Thomas, Cathrine, Journey, Lillian, Robert and 13 great grandkids.

 Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Patricia Collins to help with family expenses.  Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Laurel at www.yazelmeglifh.com.