Karen W. Collins
Karen W. Collins
Karen Collins, 86, of rural Humbird, passed away unexpectedly at her home Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Karen was born Sept. 15, 1939, in Ladysmith, WI, the daughter of Alfred and Verla (Wymore) Fink. She was raised with her three siblings on a farm in Rusk County, where she attended grade school and graduated in 1957 from Ingram-Glenflora High School. She was united in marriage to Dale Thomas Collins July 25, 1959, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Tony.
The couple began their life together in Rockford, IL. In addition to raising her sons, Karen had been employed in the business office of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Belvidere. Wanting to return to northern Wisconsin, they moved with their two sons to rural Humbird in 1976. While in Humbird, Karen worked 19 years for Clark County, 10 of those years with Clark County Nursing Service and then an additional nine years with the UW-Extension Office in Neillsville.
After her retirement, Karen enjoyed working in her large and beautiful flower gardens each year. She always loved watching the birds and found that to be a very favorite past-time, especially when her health made it difficult to do other things she enjoyed.
Before her sister Norma passed away, the two of them had great fun collecting all types of antiques at various sales and then twice a year displaying and selling those items at Norma’s Victorian home in Rice Lake.
As a small child, her mother encouraged reading and that was instilled with Karen throughout her entire life. Relaxing with a good book was very comforting to her.
Karen will be dearly missed by her two sons, Randy Collins and Terry and Christina Collins, all of Humbird; two grandsons and two great-grandsons, Thomas and Andrea Collins and their two sons, Carter and Camden of Junction City, and Chase and Regine Collins of Humbird; and sister Carol and Bill Solsrud of Holman.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Verla; husband Dale in November of 1992; son Gregg Collins in April of 1975; sister Norma Rollin; and brother Gordon Fink.
No public services are being planned.
The family is assisted by Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.