Bernice E. Collins (nee Winkelman) walked triumphantly into the arms of Jesus on Dec. 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 Oct. 2, 1921, to the late Frank and Elsie Winkelman in Pewaukee. She was a 1939 graduate of Pewaukee High School.
On Aug. 23, 1940, she was united in marriage to the late Calvin “Buck” Collins at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hartland. They resided in Nashotah, 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 her children, Carol Sneed of Waukesha, Marge (Bob) Schotthoefer of Virginia Beach, Virginia, 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 her sister, Eunice (the late Clarence) Duwel; nephews, Richard (Arlene) Winkelman and Clarence “Butch” Duwel; niece, Debbie Duwel; and many other relatives and friends.
She was further preceded in death by her daughter, Bernadine Deneen; sons-in-law, Matthew Deneen and Kenneth Sneed; grandson, Kenneth Sneed Jr.; and brothers, Raymond and Lester Winkelman and three infants.
The funeral service will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 410 W. Veterans Way, Mukwonago.
Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until the time of service at the church.
Private burial will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery, East Troy.
Memorials to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church or East Troy Manor are suggested.
Legacy Funeral Services, East Troy, has the honor of serving the family.
Sincere love and sympathy to the whole family! So many fond memories of “Pa” and Bernice! Great memories! Always enjoyed being at the house when she was baking and being a “taste Tester”.I always felt like I was part of the family at that household.R.I.P sweet lady! you will be sorely missed and a wonderful angel in Heaven!