Mary L. (Babe) Collins

Mary Louise Collins, (affectionately known as Babe) born July 29, 1931, passed away on March 19, 2023, in Fredonia, Kansas.

Babe was born to Mary Louise (Konen) Specht and Carl Edward Specht. She had four brothers and one sister. All of Mary's siblings and parents preceded her in death. Her siblings included, Bernice H. Willie, Henry C. Specht, Archibald E. Specht, Lloyd L. Specht, and Frank X. Specht.

Babe grew up in Piqua, Kansas, and graduated in 1949 from Iola High School.

She was married to William (Bill) Dale Collins on February 7, 1953. Bill preceded Babe in death on January 10, 2014, after 60 years of marriage. From this union, Bill and Babe left behind their five children, Judy Ann Johnson with husband, Dave, Buffalo, Kansas, Robert Dale Collins, Piqua, Kansas, Timothy Collins and wife, Dina, Augusta, Kansas, Carol Ann Mayfield, Derby, Kansas, Betty Jo Gardner and husband, Charles, Fredonia, Kansas. She leaves behind nine grandchildren, Michael Dale Collins, George Michael Golay, Steven Norman Collins, Brenton Scott Collins, Lauren Nichole Lane, Nicholas Todd Collins, Mariah Marie Collins, Emily Ann Mayfield, and Thomas Jacob Cantrell. She also leaves behind eight great-grandchildren, Garrin and Tessa Golay (children of George Michael and Crystal Golay, Chanute, Kansas), Lily, Ayla, and Eily Collins (children of Steven and Rachel Collins, Tebetts, Missouri), Alexis and Olivia Lane (children of Lauren and Brock Lane, Wichita), and Henry Collins (son of Brent and Taylor Collins, Andover, Kansas).

Babe and Bill spent a lifetime farming and raising livestock in Woodson County, Kansas. Babe raised chickens and sold eggs. She was an avid gardener and was known for her delicious bread and her famous cinnamon rolls. She was a fanatical KU men's basketball fan! Most notably, she was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She cared for her five children and continued to stay in constant contact with each one of them until her final days. She was a dedicated and faithful Catholic.

A rosary will be recited from 9:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at St. Martin's Oratory, Piqua, Kansas, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in St. Martin's Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to St. Martin's Steeple Fund, and may be left with Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .