Mercedine A. Collins

Mercedine A. Collins, 88, died on Thursday, July 16, 2015, at St. Patrick Hospital, of natural causes.

She spent her entire life in Montana, with over 40 years in St. Regis raising three daughters with her husband Gene, to whom she was married for over 60 years. She worked as a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service for 25 years. After retirement, Gene and Mercedine became part of Missoula's community in 1993, and Gene continues to reside in Missoula. Her family and friends meant everything to her, and celebrating her 60th anniversary with Gene last October will continue to be a shining moment in all of our memories, just as it was to her.

Mercedine was preceded in death by her parents, Orval and Matilda (Tillie) Johnson and her sister and brother-in-law, Vermae and Jack Macdonald.

Mercedine is survived by her husband Gene and their children, Linda Wikstrom and Bernie Goldman of Edmonds, Washington, Carol Collins and Tim Hegg of Missoula; Susan and Tim Tolman of Frenchtown; her grandchildren, William and Birgit Wikstrom of Bad Kissingen, Germany, Jennifer and Tushar Devidayal of Mumbai, India, Allison Tolman of Missoula and Quinton Tolman of Missoula; her great-grandchildren, Lisa and Anika Wikstrom of Germany, Sanjeet and Katelyn Devidayal of India; nephews, Jon MacDonald of Florence and Stephen MacDonald of Fair Oaks, California; nieces, Patrice MacDonald of Missoula and Jill Cunningham of Missoula.

Mercedine wanted to especially thank her wonderful and caring doctors and nurses: Dr. Coutinho and all the wonderful people in his office; Sarah McNerney and nurse Marie Evans; and Dr. Beatty and all the caring people at Missoula's Community Cancer Care. We would like to thank St. Patrick Hospital's Intensive Care Unit and International Heart Institute for the extraordinary care and support.

Mercedine requested a private family service; there will be a reception on Wednesday, July 22, at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula at 2 p.m. Please come and join the family, have refreshments and reminisce old memories and new ones.

She was the jewel of our family. We love her dearly and she will always be with us in our hearts.
Read Mercedine Collins's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.