Edward "Ed" J. Collins

Edward “Ed” J. Collins, 69, of Sgt. Bluff, IA, died on January 18, 2022, surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Mater Dei Parish - Nativity, celebrated by Fr. Bradley Pelzel. Visitation will be from 9-10, with a rosary at 10 in the church. Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Ed was born on July 2, 1952, in Battle Creek, IA to Jim and Devilda (Nielsen) Collins and grew up in Danbury. He attended Danbury Catholic School and graduated from Maple Valley High School in 1970, and earned an Associate’s Degree in Real Estate from DMACC. Ed and Deb McGrane met in high school and were married eight years later on July 28, 1978, in Mapleton, IA. He worked as a well-respected real estate appraiser for more than 40 years and together with several partners, founded Tri-State Valuation & Consulting, LLC. Ed’s strong faith was central to his life, and he attended daily Mass. He carried his faith quietly, but it spoke and spoke well. Ed was an integral member of his Sgt. Bluff community, coaching both of his boys’ sports teams until they played on school teams and keeping stats for the Sgt. Bluff-Luton High School football team for a number of years. He also served on the Sioux Gateway Airport Board of Trustees, as well as the Sgt. Bluff Board of Adjustment. It seemed like Ed knew folks everywhere he went, and he always took the time to connect. Ed enjoyed playing fast pitch softball, a passion that began with the Danbury fast pitch team and continued for many years on a number of teams. He also enjoyed cheering for the Iowa State Cyclones, the New York Yankees, and the Chicago Bears. But his greatest passion was his family. He was deeply proud of his boys, and delighted by his grandsons, Cooper and Maddox. Family gatherings filled with laughter were his favorite. If Ed was around, there was always a great story to be heard. He’d grin as he recalled the events, give a little laugh and then begin to tell the tale.

Among those who will miss him the most are his wife Deb Collins of Sgt. Bluff, IA; son Christopher (Kristen) Collins of Chicago, IL and son Eran (Jade Hofer) of Tea, SD; grandsons Cooper and Maddox; sister Donna (Tom) Mohrhauser of Mapleton, IA; brothers Ted (Ann) Collins of Sgt. Bluff, IA and Tim Collins of Parker, CO; sisters-in-law Laurie (Kelley) Gale, Tami LeFebvre and Beth (Don) Prisby and brother-in-law Mick (Sue) McGrane; and many nieces and nephews.