J Collins

J. Michael Collins, 61, Fargo, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2009 Meritcare Hospital, Fargo. Mike was born to Kenneth and Pauline (Torgeson) Collins in Fargo on December 18, 1947. He attended Holy Spirit Elementary School in Fargo and graduated from Shanley High School in 1965. He attended and graduated from St. John?s University in Collegeville, MN in 1969. Mike married Linda Olson in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 19, 1971. He joined William Collins & Sons following graduation and worked there until 1980. In 1981 he began his financial services career, and in October of 1999, he founded the Morgan Stanley branch office in Fargo, which he managed until his death. Mike was very active in the community as a member of Rotary and serving on the boards of Fraser LTD, the F-M Symphony, the Dakota Medical Foundation and the Fargo Country Club, where he and Linda have been members for 37 years. Mike could often be found at the FCC, enjoying a round of golf with the ?Weekenders?, playing poker with the boys or enjoying ?Football Friday? with some of his and Linda?s best friends. He fought a courageous 11-year battle with cancer, and served as an example of bravery and determination. Never once complaining about the situation he had been put in, he continued to embrace life with his family and friends. Mike was a dedicated husband, father, brother, son, uncle, friend and ?Papa?, his most favorite role. He will be remembered fondly as someone having a loving spirit, an enormous amount of integrity, and being a true gentleman. He is survived by his Wife, Linda, Fargo; his children, Gretchen (Travis) Ingbretson, Fargo, Jeff (Le?Dean) Collins, Fargo, and Jennifer Collins, New York, NY; his grandchildren, Henry and Ella Collins, Fargo; his brothers, Leo (Gwen) Collins, Plymouth, MN, Ken (Marci) Collins, Boulder, CO, Paul (Debbie) Collins, Clifton, VA, sisters, Mary (Brian) Johnson, Walker, MN, Beth (Jim) Dutcher, Gillette, WY, brother, Pat (Teresita) Collins, Vero Beach, FL, sister, Katie Collins, Brooklyn, NY; father-in-law, Don Olson, Minneapolis, MN, brothers-in-law, Mike Olson, Burnsville, MN, Greg (Lisa) Olson, Bloomington, MN, and sister-in-law, Kristi (Ron) Holloway, Brainerd, MN, Aunts, Minerva Collins Reed, San Francisco, CA, Marcella Collins Lacy, Honolulu, HA, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pauline and Ken Collins, and mother-in-law, Dolores Olson. The funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Saints Ann and Joachim Catholic Church, Fargo. There will be a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Boulger Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home and one hour before the funeral in the church. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Fargo. Memorials are preferred to Fraser Ltd, The Roger Maris Cancer Center, and The Fargo Catholic Schools Network.