Bernice E Collins , October 02, 1921 — December 13, 2018

Bernice E. Collins, nee Winkelman, walked triumphantly into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at the age of 97 years, two months and 11 days at East Troy Manor, where she had resided the past two years. Bernice Elsie Winkelman was born October 2, 1921 to Frank and Elsie Winkelman in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. She was a 1939 graduate of Pewaukee High School.

On August 23, 1940 she was united in marriage to Calvin “Buck” Collins at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, Hartland. They resided in Nashotah,… Read More » Wisconsin before moving to East Troy in 1953.

Bernice worked as a cook for the East Troy School District, for more than 20 years, retiring in 1977. In retirement she cooked and baked, providing chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon rolls, as well as other sweet treats, to countless relatives, friends, and businesses in East Troy, Mukwonago, and Norfolk, Virginia, until moving to East Troy Manor. She was affectionately known as “Great Grandma Cookie” to an entire generation of Collins grandchildren, friends and family.

Her door was always open and there was always a vacant chair at the dinner table for anyone who dropped by! Bernice is survived by four children, Carol Sneed of Waukesha, Marge (Bob) Schotthoefer of Virginia Beach, VA, Carl (Linda Bryan) of Burlington, and Bob (Debbie) of East Troy, 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson. She is further survived by one sister, Eunice (the late Clarence) Duwel, two nephews, Richard (Arlene) Winkelman and Clarence “Butch” Duwel, one niece, Debbie Duwel, and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Bernadine Deneen; two sons-in-law, Matthew Deneen and Kenneth Sneed; grandson, Kenneth Sneed, Jr., and five brothers, Raymond and Lester Winkelman, and three infants. Visitation will be held at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 410 West Veterans Way, Mukwonago, on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 from 4pm to 6:30 p.m. with the funeral service at 6:30 p.m. Private burial will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery, East Troy.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church or East Troy Manor if desired. Legacy Funeral Services (262)642-5057 2974 Main St. East Troy, Wi.

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