Mary Jane Collins — September 20, 1944 - February 17, 2025

    Mary Jane Collins, 80, passed away peacefully at her home Feb. 17, 2025. Elvis finally got to meet his “biggest fan!”
    Born Sept. 20, 1944, to Kenneth and Geraldine Knepple in Niles, Mich., Jane would spend the next 80 years writing her story. Growing up in San Diego with her cherished siblings, Suzanne, Ruth and Tom, they spent their days pulling taffy and enjoying the beach.
After graduating high-school in 1963, Jane crossed paths with a boy from Montana who was stationed with the Navy in San Diego. That boy, Ronald Collins, would take Jane as his beloved wife, June 8, 1963.
    After starting their family in San Diego, Ron and Jane moved back to Montana. They spent time in Philipsburg before permanently laying roots in Deer Lodge. Six children would complete their family.
Jane worked many years as a cook at 4B’s, as well as other restaurants before settling in at the hospital, where she would retire.
    She loved to sew, and many grandkids received the gifts of her quilts. Many a morning  you would find Jane downtown having coffee with her “coffee gals,” oh the gossip!
Her family was her smile, and with her six kids, rarely a year would pass starting in 1987 that a new limb wasn’t added to the family tree.
    Jane is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ronald Collins;  her six (6GR8) kids, Art (Audrey) Collins, Steve (Julie) Collins,  Guy Collins, Sheryl (Scott) Fitzpatrick, David (Jennifer) Collins and Diane (Mike) Williams. Those six kids would bless Jane with 31 (including spouses) grandchildren and 16 beautiful great-grandchildren.  With that, her story is far from over.
    She is also survived by her brother Tom, and special niece Robyn Baesler.
    She is preceded in death by her father  and her mother,  Kenneth and Geraldine Knepple; sisters, Suzanne and Ruth.
    A celebration of life was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Deer Lodge Community Center. A luncheon immediately follows.  We welcome everyone in remembering our beautiful wife, mother  and grandma.
    Please visit www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Mary.