COLLINS, Vern O. "Speck" (1903 - 1998)

COLLINS, PRICHARD, HICKS, PECKENSCHNEIDER, JENSEN, BROOKS

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/2/2025 at 20:25:18

Vern O. “Speck” Collins, 94, of Cherokee, died Wednesday, September 16th, at 11:48 a.m. in the Cherokee Villa following a 2-year illness.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 19th, from the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery.

He was born November 28, 1903, at Woodbine, Iowa to Thomas and Pearl (Prichard) Collins. He graduated from Mapleton High School in 1922. He was married to Mildred Hicks. He was later married to Rhyma Peckenschneider on May 17, 1988 in Cherokee, Iowa. Mr. Collins worked for Cherokee County in the Engineer’s Office for 50 years. He home was at 769 N. Second St., having lived in Cherokee most of his life except for growing up in the Woodbine and Mapleton area. He was an active supporter of all sporting activities. He worked at many of Cherokee’s Tomahawk Relays and was on the chain gang for the Cherokee Braves home football games.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, Teresa Jensen, a son-in-law, Forrest Jensen, a brother, Perry Collins, a sister Opal Brooks, and a nephew, Perry Lee Collins.

He is survived by his wife, Rayma, a daughter Betty C. Jensen of Sioux City, Iowa; a grandson Dana Jensen and his wife Kim of Lakeland, Florida; 3 great grandchildren: Gina, Lisa and Michael Jensen. (Source: Former Cherokee Historical Society scrapbook. Hand dated 9-17-98)