Obituary: Gardes O. Collins

Gardes O. Collins, 76, passed away Dec. 22, 2009, in Prescott, Ariz. She was born on Dec. 4, 1933, in Ashland, Wis., to Reino and Eva (Hayes) Oksa. On Oct. 19, 1957, she was united in marriage to Ronald B. Collins in St. Clement Church, Sheboygan, Wis. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Prescott, Ariz.

Gardes served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1955-1957 and attained the rank of sergeant. They resided for many years in Sheboygan, Wis., relocating to Arizona in 1981 for Ron's health. They lived in Sierra Vista and Lake Havasu City before moving to Prescott.

Gardes was a member of many organizations and devoted her time to volunteerism. She was first involved in the March of Dimes because Ron had contracted polio shortly after their marriage, and later the Marine Corps League, DAR, Ocotillo Chapter of Colonial Dames, Legion of Mary and Project Linus. She did volunteer work with the Prescott Public Library, Yavapai County Food Bank, Sacred Heart School Boosters, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, the VA Hospital and People Who Care - Prescott and Chino Valley.

She is survived by five sisters, Jo Ann Gries of Oshkosh, Wis., Karen Lukow of Rockford, Ill., Sara (Hiram J.) Boyette of Panama City Beach, Fla., Susan (James) Miller of Bisbee, Ariz., and Kristine (Larry) Erb of Bahrain; two brothers, Victor (Arlene) Oksa of Kenosha, Wis., and Michael (Debra) Oksa of Beaver Dam, Wis.; and a sister-in-law, Frances Oksa. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and -nephews and a great-grandniece. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 46 years, Ronald, and brother Reino Oksa Jr.

A memorial service will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at Sacred Heart Church in Prescott. She will be inurned in the Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sacred Heart School.

Hampton Funeral Home assisted the family with final arrangements.

Information provided by survivors.


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