Darlene M. Collins

Darlene (Fortney) Collins of Boscobel, WI was born on October 11, 1936 in Gays Mills, WI and died on April 15, 2026 at the age of 89.  She graduated from Gays Mills High School in 1953 and attended Luther College before marrying Phil Smith in 1954.  Together they had four children. They later divorced and in 1981 she married Walter “Butch” Collins.  Butch had two children when they married, Linda and Mike Collins.

Anyone who knew Darlene knows that she never met a stranger and that she loved to have a good time.  She thoroughly enjoyed her years raising her four children, but when she wasn’t caring for them, she was spending time with her many friends; having coffee, bowling, shopping, playing cards and of course going out to lunch.  She loved music and dancing, especially the jitterbug.

 After her kids were raised Darlene spent her summers at Crystal Lake Campground where many memories were created with her grandchildren.  Her favorite place on earth was South Padre Island, Texas where she spent more than 30 winters. She loved sharing her piece of heaven with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends.  She was happiest when her deck was full of people.

Darlene is survived by her children, Cindy (Mario) Jimenez, Cathy (Jeff) Mark, Greg (Deanna) Smith and Rex Smith.  She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jessie (Jason) Zurawik, Josh (Hannah) Rabbitt, Steve (Emily) Smith, Renee (DuWayne) Cournoyer, grand dog Delila, 10 adored great grandchildren, sisters Marilyn McManamy and Rosemary Raha, sister-in-law Judy Reynolds, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband Walter “Butch” Collins, parents Adolph and Anna Fortney and brothers Roger and Robert “Bobby” Fortney. 

The funeral service for Darlene will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 208 Mary Street, Boscobel. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 am until the time of the service. She will be laid to rest in the Gays Mills Cemetery. Online condolences can be offered at www.kendallfuneralservice.com.

The family would like to thank everyone at Soldiers Grove Health Services and St. Croix Hospice for caring for Darlene with such kindness, love and compassion. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Croix Hospice of Platteville.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Darlene M. Collins, please visit our floral store.