Susan Collins

Susie Collins, 67, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died August 20, 2020 at the Hospice House in Lincoln, NE.
Susan Kay (Davenport) Collins was born on February 16, 1953 to Merle and Elinor (Sally) (Short) Davenport in Holdrege, NE.  She was the second of six children.

Susie grew up on a dairy farm and had a mother who lovingly sewed beautiful clothes for her.  She often said while she was growing up, "I couldn't wait to have store bought ice cream, not from the dairy and store bought clothes, not from my mom".  She said she later realized she had the best ice cream and custom clothes and she so appreciated them both later.   She graduated from Orleans High School.

Susie married David W. Collins on May 29th, 1971.   That day began a 49 year marriage that was the "Main Course" of her life.   The union produced two children, Lisa and Tony and their spouses, who she loved like her own, Dan and Andrea.   She was rewarded in the last 22 years with six grandkids, who EVERYONE knew were the pride of her life; Peyton, Libby, and Parker Bash and Hunter, Hyatt and Kaytra Collins. "Nana" as she was known was so interested in the daily life of her family, that we all held back details knowing that anyone in contact with Nana would have to hear about our lives!   In this, we knew how much we were loved.

Susie was educated as a nurse.  She worked for 5 years on the night shift as a nurse and then found other work that was easier on her family.    She started "Main Course" catering in 1999.  While she maintained a successful business and made many, many friends along the way, the greatest part of her time as a caterer was serving others with "her girls" who worked with her.  They laughed a lot, cried some, and were all ENTERTAINED watching Dave and Susie banter with gusto.

Susie enjoyed drives with Dave, cooking, setting beautiful tables, decorating the church, her home and her kids' homes for seasons and holidays.  She loved church choir, PEO, birthday club events, shopping at Chico's, coffee with friends, playful jesting with the grandkids, chastising Lisa and Andrea for using paper plates at family events, and BEING AT LEAST 30 MINUTES EARLY TO EVERYTHING!

Susie was preceded in death by her parents, and her mother-in-law, Virginia Collins of Orleans, NE.  She is leaving behind a family who will miss her like crazy.  Dave, her husband, loved her better than anyone could to the very end.   She also leaves behind daughter Lisa (Dan) Bash of Lincoln, NE and grandchildren Peyton, Libby and Parker Bash.   Her son, Tony (Andrea (Sokol)) Collins of Ayr, NE and grandchildren Hunter, Hyatt, and Kaytra Collins.   Her sisters include Barb (Don) Overleese of Franklin, NE,  Ella (Alan) Porter of Fayetteville, NC, Connie (Bill) Horwart, Stamford, NE.   She leaves behind 2 brothers, David Davenport, Orleans, NE, and Jeff (Donita) Davenport of Fairfax Station, VA.   She also leaves her father-in-law, Neil Collins of Orleans, NE, sister-in-law, Deb (Duane) Vorderstrasse, Hebron, NE and brother-in-law, Doug (Barb) Collins of Bellevue, IA.     She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and friends.

We have great solace and peace knowing some of her last words were "hurry, hurry, hurry Jesus.....beautiful!"!   We have no doubt that she enjoyed the "dessert course" first in heaven.

A Celebration of Life Services and Meal will be held on the First Presbyterian Church back lawn, September 19, 2020 at 11:00 am with Rev. David Boyd officiating.

Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church, 1020 Lake Ave, PO Box 194, Gothenburg, NE 69138.