Deborah Carol Collins

Deborah” Deb” Carol Collins (Dunham), 73-year-old mother who passed away from us on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, in Alexandria, MN. Deborah was born March 22, 1951, in Moorhead, Minnesota, to Juleen and Ruby Dunham (Garrison). She was the third of eight children. She was raised on a family farm outside of Lake Park, Minnesota. She had many hobbies and loves. Her greatest love and responsibility were to her family. She enjoyed gardening and cooking lefsa with her family, especially with her beloved mother, Ruby. She worked briefly in healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant and, in later years, helped her mother deliver the Fargo Forum and the Detroit Lakes Tribune. She enjoyed going to the Bison and Fargo Force games.

Deborah married Paul Trettel and welcomed a son, Aaron, in 1972. Twelve years later, she married Norman Collins, to whom two daughters, Rachel and Juleann, were born.

Deborah's warmth and kindness will forever be remembered by all who knew her. In her later years, she often spoke fondly of her grandchildren, which brought her great joy.

She was preceded in death by her father, Juleen, her mother, Ruby, her brother Hal Dunham, her brother-in-law Tom Turner, and her great-niece, Caylin Donovan.

She leaves behind her beloved children Aaron (Tracy) Trettel-Wahpeton, ND, Rachel Goble-Brandon, MN, and Juleann (Nathan)Miller-Fergus Falls, MN, her loving dog Putta, as well as 15 grandchildren, brothers and sisters DeWayne (Peggy )Dunham - Detroit Lakes MN ,Rita (Charles)Leach - Glyndon, MN, Nora (Donald) Samelson - Fort Collins, CO, Juel (Joni) Dunham - Lake Park, MN, Jay (Mary) Dunham - West Fargo, ND, Elizabeth Turner - Marshfield, WI. She is also survived by her only living Aunt, Delores Dunham, as well as nieces, nephews, and numerous friends and family. She left us with a great legacy to carry. Her loving care will be remembered for generations to follow. Her love is the imprint we must carry on in our hearts as an example of how to live the fullest. Deb you will be remembered and fondly celebrated moving forward with the love you left behind.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted for Deborah at St. Peter's Lutheran Church (19747 County Highway 6, Audubon, Minnesota 56511) on March 15th, 2025, beginning with a time of visitation at 10:00am and formal services to follow at 11:00am.