Suzanne "Sue" Collins

It is with great sadness we announce that our beloved Mom and Nana took her last Big Red ride up her cherished hill in the north woods on Friday, April 4, 2025 surrounded by her children. And yet it is with great joy as we know she is reunited with her one and only love, our dad, in eternal life. Mom was a woman who made the world a little brighter and a whole lot kinder - loved deeply by anyone who knew her.

Sue or Susie as many called her, was born in De Pere WI on Sept 17, 1937 to Robert and Florence (Aerts) VanSistine. She went to St Boniface grade school and later Green Bay East High School graduating as Salutatorian of the Class of 1955.

Sue began her working career in the abstracting industry right after high school. She paused to raise her 4 children, returning to the work force once her youngest was in school. She went on to dedicate 25+ years to abstracting across a five county area - becoming the go-to expert when someone couldn’t figure something out. And she always figured it out.

Mom married her soulmate Dick (Richard) Collins in July 1960. She often joked they didn’t have 2 nickels to rub together when they got married. Dad owed $500 and Mom had $500 saved. But from that humble start, they built a strong, loving family and a legacy that lives on in 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 7 great grands and 1 on the way.

Never to let grass grow under her feet, Mom was always up for an adventure. Hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, skiing, anything outdoors…she was game. When it got too difficult to ride horses she traded in for a side by side, ‘Big Red’. She spent endless hours exploring the north woods and showing her riding buddy the ins & outs. He would often ask her “do you know where we are?” She’d respond, “not yet but I will!” She lived each day to the fullest and inspired us all to do the same. Mom had the uncanny ability to see the beauty in everything around her. We all now have a different view.

Mom was an avid card player. She loved a good game of cribbage, always besting anyone by a game or two. She played bridge in the Green Bay area for over 45 years and then she found an up north group to continue playing once she moved to their house in the woods. Her bridge club ladies became lifelong friends whom she treasured.

She loved to knit to keep her hands busy. She always said if she didn’t knit, she would be a chain smoker. Luckily, she knit! Her family and friends were the lucky recipients of afghans, hats, mittens, scarfs and a few sweaters. If anyone of us needed an afghan for a gift, she always had one just waiting for the ask.

Sue was also a passionate reader, passing books around and clipping out articles from newspapers she thought were relevant. Often those clippings would find its way to our mailboxes with a handwritten note from Mom. We will miss that mail.

We don’t know if Mom and Dad built their cabin to keep us kids outta trouble but we sure are glad they did. What started as a cabin in 1972 became their beloved home. Dad built every square inch of it and Mom made it a home filled with love. We spent every summer up there as kids and it became a haven for us, our kids and grandkids. A place where we learned to live life the way Mom did - fully, freely and joyfully. We may not have been wealthy in the traditional sense, but we were rich in love and family. As Mom always said, she never knew anything but love - and she showed that love every single day doling it out freely and often.

Fulfilling her final wish, Mom remained at home until the end. We could not have done it without the love and support of so many family and friends, especially her Dolan Lake village. We wish we could thank everyone individually but please know we love and appreciate each and every one of you. We are forever grateful!

Sue is survived by her children. Robb (Carrie) Collins; Kelley (Al) Lindsley-Dachelet; Tracey (John) Koltz; Kalyn (Garth) Bugenhagen; grandchildren Brandon (Ruth) Collins, Jeremy Collins, Breanna (Justin) Tlachac, Casey (Christina) Lindsley, Molly (Jared) Dechamps, Shannen (Mitchell) Krahn, and Dean (Olivia) Koltz; step-grandchildren Brooklyn Dachelet and Maggin Dachelet; great grandchildren Katlin Collins, Jack and Cash Tlachac, Jett Dechamps, Maxwell and baby Krahn, Jesse and Montgomery Koltz. Further survived by her brother Gary (Sandi) VanSistine; niece Tori (Mauricio) Martinez, nephews Brennen VanSistine and Paco VanSistine; Brother in law Jim Collins, special niece Lynn Baumgartner; her dear lifelong friend and neighbor Celeste Lom and the Lom family; several godchildren; and many, many cousins, whom she spent much of her childhood with and loved dearly.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Dick, in 2018, her parents, her brother in law and sister in law Tom & Mary Collins, sister in law, Donna Baumgartner; several beloved cousins and dear friends.

A Celebration of Sue’s life will be Monday, April 21 at Newcomer Funeral Home with visitation from 4-7:30; and then again Tuesday, April 22, 9:30-11:00 at St. Matthews Catholic Church with mass at 11am.

In her honor, Mom would ask that you go out and perform a random act of kindness doing something nice for someone not expecting anything in return. And always, always see the beauty in everything around you.

The family would like to thank Moments Hospice, especially Kim and Danielle, for their exceptional attention to mom in her last months.