Louise (Campbell) Collins
Louise (Campbell) Collins, born Helen Louise Campbell, on October 29, 1928, to Alvin and Jessie (McNay) Campbell was born in a little one room house in Ogden, IA. At 97 years old, she passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on August 29, 2026, at the Kavanaugh House in Des Moines. She was just 2 months shy of her 98th birthday.
As the third of four precious daughters, she was lovingly raised on a small farm in the countryside that she dearly loved. She also had many fond memories of her little country church there in Ogden.
In her early twenties, Louise moved to Des Moines for a job and found herself a new church, Castle Evangelical United Brethren later re-named Christ United Methodist Church. It was there that she met the love of her Life, Raymond Morris Collins. The man she would spend 69 years in wedded bliss with. These two beautiful souls married in a simple and beautiful ceremony on May 13, 1950. Throughout their many years together they enjoyed a rich, vibrant, and thriving social life. Ray participated in many sports and Louise would happily support him in his activities. They were active in many different social groups including church groups, many volunteering ventures, and square dancing where Louise made magnificently beautiful matching outfits for herself and Ray. Along with square dancing, Ray and Louise loved to travel and once Ray retired you could find them enjoying themselves each winter in Mexico Beach, Florida where they spent several years. One of their favorite summer activities were camping alongside family and friends. They truly were each other’s best friend and loved spending time with each other. Where there was one, you often found the other not too far behind.
Shortly after marrying, Ray and Louise began their family and Louise was ecstatic because in her own words “Well my goodness, I had been married for 6 months by then.” Randall James (Randy) was their first child and according to Louise, “Randy has been known to be a little late in doing things.” Once she reached two weeks past the due date, she looked at the bassinet where her sweet overdue bundle was going to be placed then sat down on the bed, bawled and bawled and said, “This baby is never going to get here!” That night she went to the hospital and later said, “Well, I guess I should have started bawling earlier.” About a year and a half later their first beautiful baby girl, Rebecca Rae (Becky) arrived. Once at the hospital in active labor a nurse looked at Louise and said, “Mrs. Collins, you need to relax!” And she replied with “How can I relax? This baby is kicking me like crazy!” Becky was always very active, kicking her day and night so they liked to say she was an early firecracker. Another year and a half later their family was set to grow once again and this time they were blessed with their second beautiful baby girl, Marla Jane, who they affectionately called their little clown. “She was always keeping us laughing, doing something silly and just a joy to be around.” Louise was quoted saying, “She had nice hair, but it wasn’t as plentiful as Becky’s.” After the birth of their first three children, they had outgrown their apartment and moved to a home on 28th Street in Des Moines. Approximately two years later, came their fourth and final child. This time, a baby boy named Michael David (Mike). Louise liked to say that Mike almost beat her to the hospital when he was born. When they arrived, Ray took her in and then went to park the car. When he walked into the hospital the doctor met him and said, “Congratulations, you have a baby boy!” to which Ray replied, “I just got here!” The doctor then said, “I don’t care, you’ve got a baby boy!” Mike passed away 5 years ago, in the spring of 2021. In Louise’s final days, family members witnessed many loving conversations between mother and son proving he was there to welcome her with open arms as they walked into the Kingdom of Heaven together. We know she is so overjoyed to be reunited with him once again.
After becoming a mother, Louise provided childcare for many families in the neighborhood and later, once becoming an empty nester, she worked a variety of places including The Cookie Factory in Merle Hay Mall. She especially loved working at the Hallmark store in Valley West Mall where she enjoyed her co-workers and customers immensely.
Louise was an instrumental member of her church and was involved in many different events throughout each year. Her favorite being the annual Mother’s Day Banquet where she proudly and lovingly gathered with her family. In the same vein, Louise adored getting together for the annual Collins Lady’s Christmas Cookie exchange each year and you could find her festively dressed soaking in all the memories with her loved ones.
Louise was an exceptional sewer and in her spare time, she loved to create beautiful quilts. For several years, Louise submitted her masterfully made creations at the Iowa State Fair and in her families’ eyes every one of them was Blue Ribbon quality. Starting with her oldest grandchild, each one was the lucky recipient of one of those amazingly one-of-a-kind, hand-stitched lovingly made masterpieces.
In her later years she discovered a new love of bingo that she would play with her fellow neighbors and friends at Luther Park Apartments. Like most Iowans, she loved coffee, Tasty Tacos, Hy-Chi, a sausage pizza from the Tavern, and a good ol’ sweet slice of pie.
Ray and Louise spent decades enjoying the company of two other couples, Harold and Betty Lawler and Junior and Bonnie King. Louise is the last of these lifelong friends to join the party in Heaven. And oh, what a party it will be!
Louise was a rare and kind soul who always had a hug, smile, and laugh to share with anyone who paid her a visit. She was much like that of a great oak tree. Steady, strong, beautiful, roots ever deep and growing, standing firm and offering her quiet calm shelter from any storm. In her final days, a nurse commented that “She was a sweet, sweet lady, but she knew what she wanted.” And that truly captures the heart of who she was.
She will be lovingly remembered by her sister Mary Tomlinson, children, Randy (Margie) Collins of Des Moines, Becky (Craig) Draves of Clear Lake, and Marla (Clifford) Woiwood of Des Moines, her grandchildren Jennifer (Brent) Hanson, Heidi (Adam) Edwards, Andi Ramirez, Jaimie Draves, Justin (Ashley) Collins, Ryan (Anna Taylor) Collins, and Tyler Collins, great-grandchildren Brooklyn (Tyler) Klinger, Mila Gerstenberger, Truman (Charli) Rodman, Brycelyn Hanson, Morgan Ramirez, Marissa Ramirez, Dane Hanson, Brayden Collins, Brenna Collins, Ryder Collins, Brooke Collins, Brinley Collins, Lucille Collins, great-great-grandchildren Scarlet Klinger, Stella Klinger, Willow Rodman and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.
She joins those who went before her including her parents, Alvin and Jessie Campbell, her sisters Eleanor Stumbo, and Esther Walters, her beloved husband, Raymond Collins, her son, Mike Collins, and granddaughter, Kristi Lynn Collins.
Services will be held on Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Merle Hay Funeral Home at 4400 Merle hay Road in Des Moines. Visitation will be held at 12:30 p.m. with the funeral immediately following at 1:30 p.m.
Micah 6:8
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.