White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Mitzi L. Collins, 62 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died at UP Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa, under the care of Unity Point Hospice on Monday, May 27, 2019, after a hard fought battle with stomach cancer.

Mitzi was born on July 17, 1956, at Allen Hospital to Willie and Phyllis (Miller) Aalderks.  She graduated from Aplington High School in Aplington, Iowa, in 1974 and went on to marry Virgil Collins on August 4, 1978 at the First Reformed Church in Aplington, Iowa.

Mitzi worked as a secretary at O’s Gold Seed, Mid Equipment, Clay Equipment, and later at Schuster and Mick Law Office.  However, Mitzi spent most of her life as a home maker, devoting her time to her children and grandchildren.  She loved cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, attending her grandson’s soccer games, listening to her son, John, play drums, and spending time with many friends.  She considered her husband, Virgil, her greatest blessing.  She was very active at her churches; St. John’s Lutheran Church in Guttenberg, Iowa, and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence.

Mitzi is survived by her husband of 40 years, Virgil, her children; Lisa Peek of Machesney Park, Illinois, John Collins of Guttenberg, Mike Collins of Traer, Iowa, Jill Collins of Traer, and Tina (Jeff) Fischer of Whitleyville, Tennessee, 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her mother, Phyllis Aalderks of Aplington, 1 brother, Randy (Camie) Aalderks of Aplington, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, 1 son-in-law, William Baumeier, and 1 great grandson, Layton Matthew.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence with Rev. Greg DeBoer and Rev. Harold McMillin officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, May 31^st, at the White Funeral Home in Independence.