Joy Lorraine Collins

Joy L. Collins, 97, of Winterset, Iowa died Sunday, October 9, 2016 at West Bridge Care & Rehabilitation in Winterset. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, October 13, at The First Christian Church with Pastor Kevin and Pastor Sue Blader officiating. Burial will be in the Winterset Cemetery. Joy was born on a farm near Bridgewater, Iowa (Adair County) on November 27, 1918 to Harry Rudrow Fairholm and Marguerite Angeline (Joy) Fairholm. At the age of 1, the family moved to a farm 3 miles East of Winterset. She attended the Holliwell School near the Holliwell Covered Bridge and went on to graduate from Winterset High School in 1936. After graduating, she taught country school from 1937 to 1939 and again in 1945. Later she did sales work lasting for 30 years. On February 26, 1939, Joy married G. Tim Collins. Together they were blessed with three children. Tim passed away on October 20, 1977. In 1979, Joy married Dale Lauer. Following Dale’s death in 2008, Joy took back her Collins name. Joy loved music. She started playing the piano when she was 5 years of age, listening to the radio and picking out the notes. Joy and Tim had a dance band for over 23 years. The first song they played starting every dance was “In The Mood”. She continued to play the piano for various events over the years and was playing up until a week before her death. Joy had been a continuous member of the VFW Auxiliary since 1952, had been a member of Eastern Star in Winterset, was a member and volunteer of the Madison County Historical Society, and had been a member of The First Christian Church since 1931. She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Wilkinson and husband Larry of Truro; son, Nolan Collins and wife JoAnn of Winterset; daughter-in-law, Karen Collins of Winterset; grandchildren, Kevin (Lori) Collins, Kent Collins, Lynnette (Glen) Sheldon, Jean (Jim) Lewis, Bernie (Jenice) Wilkinson, Noelle (Don) Hofer, Nathan (Cristel) Collins, and Kelsey Collins; 17 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren. Joy was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Marguerite Fairholm; husbands, G. Tim Collins and Dale Lauer; son, Kenneth Collins; brothers, Leo R. Fairholm, Dale Fairholm, and Leon (Bill) Fairholm; and granddaughter, Cynthia Wilkinson. Visitation will be Wednesday from noon to 8 PM at McCalley-Collins Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 PM. Memorials may be directed to VFW Auxiliary or HCI Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www.mccalleyfuneralhome. McCalley-Collins Funeral Home in Winterset is in charge of arrangements.