Leslie Collins

Leslie W. Collins, 85, resident of Detroit Lakes, MN, died Monday, March 7, 2011at Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes, MN. Funeral Services for Leslie will be held Saturday, March 12, 2011at 11:00 AM in David Donehower Funeral Home, Detroit Lakes. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services on Saturday. Interment will be held in the spring at Senjen Cemetery, rural Detroit Lakes. Leslie William Collins was born January 29, 1926 to Harl and Ida (McClaflin) Collins in Valley City North Dakota. He was raised in various communities in Cass and Barnes County North Dakota but always called Oriska his home town. In 1943 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He proudly served aboard the USS Algol, AKA 54. He was the shipA�A�A½s master at arms, ships diver and was an LCM assault boat coxswain during the invasions of Saipan and Okinawa. On December 11, 1945 Leslie was united in marriage to Mary A�A�A½BillieA�A�A½ Birdsong in San Fransisco, CA. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Les attended NDSU and later Dickinson State College to pursue a degree in education and also his lifelong love of athletics. Les played college football for both NDSU and Dickinson State. During his college years Les was called to duty with the North Dakota National Guard as a company first sergeant and was sent to Korea during the Korean Conflict. Upon returning from Korea Les returned to college and played one more year of football and completed his bachelorA�A�A½s degree. Les and A�A�A½BillieA�A�A½ went on to teaching, coaching, principal and superintendent positions in Hendrum, MN, Audubon, MN, Pequot Lakes, MN, Hillsboro, ND, Havana, ND, Hancock MN, Bowdon ND and Esmond ND. He retired from teaching in 1981 and moved to their summer home on Height of Land Lake. Les was an avid sports fan and participant. He played softball into his 60A�A�A½s and golfed at every opportunity he had. He loved playing cards and especially enjoyed playing games with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Les will be remembered and missed by his three children, Gail Bato, Joliet, Illinois; Lynn (Judy) Collins, Port St. Lucie, Florida; Jody (Dwight) Stewart, Detroit Lakes, MN. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. Les was preceded in death by his wife Mary. The family of Les Collins would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Neil Jonason, Jody Bergquist, the staff at the Frazee Care Center and the staff at the Oaks Crossing Transitional Care Unit. We are forever grateful for the professionalism and kindness that you provided for Les. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Visitation
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Service
Saturday, March 12, 2011

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