Obituary of Dennis Richard Collins

Dennis "Corkie" Richard Collins, age 74, of Fort Atkinson, WI passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at his home. Corkie was born in Watertown, WI on December 10, 1939, the son of Richard A. and Eleanor "Dolly" Edna (Van Rosenbeek) Collins. Corkie owned and operated with his father Collins Gas on Madison Avenue in Fort Atkinson, WI. He moved to Poynette, WI where he worked as a roofer. Later Corkie moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and Kingman, Arizona, where he owned Mohave Valley Cleaners for 15 years before moving back to Wisconsin in 2000. He then worked for United Cooperative, Deerfield, WI. On December 13, 1984, Corkie married Beverly J. Ebersohl. Corkie enjoyed motorcycles, snowmobiles, NASCAR, playing cards, fishing, camping, and spending time with his family. Survivors are: Wife: Beverly Collins, Fort Atkinson, WI. Children: Cheryl (Jay) Butler, Lodi, WI, Lori (Kenneth) Krey, Poynette, WI, Leanne Pafford, Edgerton, WI, Terri (Rick) Grant, Fort Atkinson, WI, and Jeff Woerpel, Madison, WI, Eight grandchildren, and Eleven great-grandchildren. Corkie was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Deann Collins-Roberts, and a grandchild, Brandon Gray. Thank you to all the doctors, nurses, and staff of Rainbow Hospice for assisting Corkie through these past five years. A celebration of Corkie's life will be held on Monday, July 21, at Sunset Bar and Grill on Lake Koshkonong between 3 and 7 PM. The Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson, WI is assisting the family.