Dale Robert Collins, 93, passed away at home on Tuesday, October 16, 2023. He was born in Des Moines to Harry and Ruth Collins on November 12, 1929 in the 1200 block of Watrous where they lived. Dale attended a one room schoolhouse until age 16. One of his first jobs was working at Yonkers Tea Room. He worked many years at the D.M. packing company, owned his own upholstery business, and he was a custodian at Des Moines Schools. After retiring, he worked full time as a custodian at Prairie Meadows until age 79. At about age 27, Dale gave his heart to the Lord at a church on Onawa St in Des Moines. This is also the church where he met the love of his life, Delores. They married November 1st, 1957, and raised their three children, Vicky, Dale, and Judy. Dale had a love for fishing and many of you may have some fond memories of fishing with him. He loved family camping trips and took family vacations to countless states the past 14 years, loving every minute of exploring new places. You would often find him putting together puzzles and he was always up for a day of bouncing on the riding lawn mower to mow our two and a half acres, thank you dad. He loved reading the newspaper, but always read the cartoon funnies first. He liked to relax and watch old tv shows. He loved being the center of attention when we celebrated his birthdays. He always enjoyed a visit or phone call from family, which always cheered him up. He especially enjoyed his great grandchildren running and laughing throughout the house as he exchanged a big smile with them. The past 14 years Dale attended Grace Church where he enjoyed time with his small group, volunteered cleaning, and doing bulletins for a few years until unable. He is survived by his son Dale Lee (Tanja) Collins, daughter Vicky (Ernie) Huffey, Grandchildren: Chris (Beth) Huffey, Derrick (Lisa) Huffey, Lindsay (Rob) Bennett, Nicole Huffey, Leah (Kyle) Holdorf, Valarie Frank, Nathan Collins, Jessica Wentz, 11 great-grandchildren, and nephew Paul Vadillo. He is preceded in death by parents Harry and Ruth Collins, brothers Orville, Cleo, Ed, Howard, Willard, sister Audrey Burris, his wife Delores, daughter Judy Wentz, and grandson Andrew Hoyt.
A Visitation will be held Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Sunset Memorial Chapel, 7601 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa with a Funeral Service at 11:00 am and burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.
