Eloise A. (Van Gennep) Collins, 81, of Sully, passed away Sunday, July 4, 2021, at West Ridge Specialty Care in Knoxville.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 8, at 10 a.m. at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Interment followed in the Sully Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested for Care Initiatives Hospice.
Eloise Arlene Van Gennep was the daughter of Dirk John and Dreika (Blom) Van Gennep. She was born Nov. 11, 1939, in Newton. Eloise walked to school and graduated with the last class from Kellogg High School in Kellogg in 1958. As a young girl, she worked at Vogel's Egg Processing, candling eggs. June 25, 1963, she and Robert Eugene Collins were united in marriage at Sully Christian Reformed Church. To this union four children were born: Duane Robert, Lynnette Sue, Vicky Jo, and Timothy Eugene. Following their marriage, the family lived north of Sully for 43 years. Eloise worked at Newton Manufacturing in Newton. Her last employment was as a CNA at Jasper County Care Facility. Eloise and Bob moved into Lynnville in 2006 where they were living when he passed away on Aug. 18, 2010. Eloise faithfully cared for her grandchildren and enjoyed attending their activities.
Eloise is survived by her four children and their spouses: Duane (Joni) Collins of Lynnville, Lynnette (Bruce) Dunsbergen of Sully, Vicky (David) Bell of Reasnor, and Tim Collins of Lynnville; 11 grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters, whom she dearly loved.
Eloise leaves her brother, Ronald (Doris) Van Gennep of Kellogg; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: David (Myrna) Collins, Shirley (Marion) Collins, Roger (Tena) Collins, Sara Cones, and Sharon (Donald) Samson, all of Newton.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents; a sister, Doris Jean Van Gennep, who died as a toddler; and her parents-in-law, Hartley and Nona (Patton) Collins.
Eloise was a faithful member of the Sully Christian Reformed Church where she was active in ladies Bible study. She excelled in cooking and canning, enjoyed crocheting, and had a love for raising flowers and gardening.
