Carolyn Ann (Gass) Collins, daughter of Lester Henry and Irene Georgia (Maple) Gass, was born at the family home in Christian County, Missouri on August 23, 1936. She passed away on Friday, May 8, 2015 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha at the age of 78 following a lengthy illness.

Her early life was spent growing up on various farms throughout her childhood in Missouri and Southwest Iowa. She attended a one-room school house through the 5th grade. Her education continued at the Randolph Schools before graduating from Farragut High School with the Class of 1954.

On April 24, 1959, Carolyn was united in marriage to Norman Lee Collins at the First Baptist Church in Shenandoah. Following their marriage they resided in Ralston, Nebraska for a short time before moving to Shenandoah, then they moved to Topeka, Kansas until Shenandoah once again called them home, this time to stay. To this union two daughters, Cindy and Chris were born.
Before she was married, Carolyn worked at Rexall Drug in Shenandoah. She also worked at Johnson Brothers Mill in Shenandoah, was head cook at the Shenandoah Community Schools for several years and last worked for Holmes' Apartments for over 25 years.

In her spare time, Carolyn enjoyed cooking, traveling, camping, reading, boating and most of all, spending time with her family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; sister, Janet Lund; two brothers-in-law, Jack Dickerson and Jim Lund. Survivors include her loving husband, Norman L. Collins; two daughters, Cindy Collins and special friend Donnie Davis of Shenandoah and Chris Adcock and husband Dean of Belmond, IA; four grandchildren, Bradley Nuckolls and his wife Kaleigh of Underwood, IA, Molly Nuckolls of Underwood, IA, Steven Adcock of Ames, IA and Emily Adcock of Belmond, IA; three great granddaughters, Emma, Sophia and Grace; five sisters, Joyce Josephson and husband Bud of Edgerton, WI, Phyllis Laughlin and husband Pat of Corning, IA, Elaine Dickerson of Shenandoah, Nancy Harris and husband Ray of Shenandoah and Marilyn Junge and husband Larry of Pharr, TX; brother, Benny Gass and wife Nancy of Red Oak, IA; sister-in-law, Jean Seffron and husband Kenneth of Carter Lake, IA; many nieces and nephews; along with other relatives and many friends.

A memorial is being established in Carolyn's name.