Mary E. Collins

Mary Elizabeth Gruenewald Collins, 87, passed away Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, at St. Patrick Hospital. She was born Aug. 20, 1927, in Leavenworth, Washington, to Iva and Fred Gruenewald.

She held a variety of jobs in her life. Her earliest job was building apple crates in the Wenatchee Valley apple orchards. She earned her way through college at the University of Puget Sound and later at Scarritt College and Western Montana College. Her numerous degrees resulted in jobs in church work, teaching and as a librarian, including at the Great Falls Public Library.

She met her husband, Fred Collins, at a church conference in Stockton, California, and in 1956 they were married. She left the beauty of the Cascade Mountains to become a Methodist minister's wife on the plains of eastern Montana. For 30 years, she served alongside her husband doing anything from playing organ or piano to teaching young children to adults. Together, with their two daughters, they served churches throughout Montana. The last five years of her life, Mary suffered a slow decline of her health due to Alzheimer's, but now is completely healed.

Mary is survived by her husband, Fred of Missoula; daughters, Ruth and Richard Johnson (Rachel, Russell and Ryan) of Missoula and Lois and Steven Droegemeier (Sarah and Eric) of San Angelo; (five grandchildren); brother, John (Vera) Gruenewald of Washington; sister, Janice (Jim) Ahl of Oregon; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Charles.

Memorial services will be held at the Grace United Methodist Church at the corner of 10th and Garfield at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, followed by a reception. Viewing will be at Garden City Funeral Home prior to services from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and after the service until 5 p.m. The family suggests that memorials be made to the Intermountain Children's Home, 500 S. Lamborn, Helena, MT 59601.

Psalm 103:2-3: "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases."
Read Mary Collins's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.