Mary Jane Collins

Mary Jane Collins

Mary Jane Collins, 80, passed away peacefully at her home February 17th. 2025. Elvis finally got to meet his “biggest fan”!

Born September 20th, 1944 to Kenneth and Geraldine Knepple in Niles, Michigan, Jane would spend the next 80 years writing her story. Growing up in San Diego with her cherished siblings, Suzanne, Ruth, and Tom, they spent their days pulling taffy and enjoying the beach. 

After graduating high-school in 1963, Jane crossed paths with a boy from Montana who was stationed with the Navy in San Diego. That boy, Ronald Collins, would take Jane as his beloved wife, June 8th 1963.

After starting their family in San Diego, Ron and Jane moved back to Montana. They spent some time in Philipsburg before permanently laying roots in Deer Lodge. Six children would complete their family. 

Jane worked many years as a cook at 4B’s, as well as other restaurants before settling in at the hospital for which she would retire.

She loved to sew, and many grandkids received the gifts of her quilts. Many a morning, you would find Jane downtown having coffee with her “coffee gals”, oh the gossip!

Her family was her smile, and with her six kids, rarely a year would pass starting in 1987 that a new limb wasn’t added to the family tree.

Jane is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ronald Collins, her six (6GR8) kids, Art (Audrey) Collins, Steve (Julie) Collins, Guy Collins, Sheryl (Scott) Fitzpatrick, David (Jennifer) Collins and Diane (Mike) Williams. Those six kids would bless Jane with 31 (including spouses) grandchildren and 16 beautiful great grandchildren. With that, her story is far from over.

She is also survived by her brother Tom, and special niece Robyn Baesler.

She is preceded in death by her father, and mother, Kenneth and Geraldine Knepple, sisters Suzanne and Ruth.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, February 22nd, at 11 a.m. at the Deer Lodge Community Center. A luncheon will immediately follow. 

We welcome everyone in remembering our beautiful wife, mother, and grandma. 

Please visit www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Mary.