Paula Collins

MEMORIAL SERVICES : 2:00 pm on Monday, November 8, 2010 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN.VISITATION : One hour prior to services on Monday at the funeral home.SURVIVORS : Her parents, Richard and Hazel Schleicher of Park Rapids, MN; husband, Charles Collins of Bloomington, MN; three daughters, Shannon (Scott) Reinhardt of Cataula, GA, Jessica (Keith Clemons) Potter of Minneapolis, MN, Sara Potter of Columbia Heights, MN; sister, Rhonda (Jim) Anstine of Park Rapids, MN, three brothers, Rick (Annie) Schleicher of Park Rapids, MN, Brian (Patsy) Schleicher of Visalia, CA, Eric Schleicher of Las Vegas, NV and seven grandchildren. Paula Marie (Schleicher) CollinsAugust 3, 1954 ~ November 4, 2010 Paula Marie (Schleicher) Collins, age 56 of Bloomington, MN, formerly of Park Rapids, MN, passed away very unexpectedly on Thursday, November 4, 2010 in Bloomington. Paula was born on August 3, 1954 to Richard and Hazel Schleicher in Lake Charles, LA. Growing up she was what we call an "air force brat". She learned to love traveling at an early agehaha. When her brothers: Rick and Brian were born in Puerto Rico she learned Spanish from the Puerto Rican girls who loved her because she was so irresistibly cuteand she was already learning to use that smile. From there she traveled to Travis Air Force Base, CA where her sister, Rhonda was born. Now off to Warner-Robbins AFB in Georgia and then Grand Forks, ND and back to Beale AFB, California where her brother, Eric was born. My was she quite the traveler and loved every minute of it. Next she was off to Park Rapids, MN where she spent her last years of high school graduating with the Class of 1972. She married and had her three beautiful daughters: Shannon, Jessica and Sara. She went on to become a nurse and moved to Walker, MN where she met her soul mate and the love of her life, Chuck Collins. They were married on May 7, 1990. They made their home in Bloomington, MN. During this time, Paula went on to earn her bachelor"s degree, of which her family was all so proud. She was currently employed as a nurse navigator with Health Partners in Bloomington. She was considered to be a very dedicated, loyal and diligent worker. She was loved by her co-workers for her wit, warmth and kindness. What meant the most to Paula was her marriage and deep love for her husband, Chuck. They truly were, as stated before, soul mates. They did absolutely everything together! From sitting home watching TV, to spending time at their lake home in Walker, to flying to their home in Las Vegas and various trips across the country - her childhood dreams and passion for traveling came true. Her love for her husband was equally matched with her love for her daughters and grandchildren. She was a great mom; but, an even better grandma. Just ask her grandchildren: Devin, Russell, Tallie, Derrick, Jerrica, McKenzie, and Shyla. She had many friends who loved her as well. She just had a way with people that made you feel comfortable. She communicated often with many through the internet, including various ones from her California days who call themselves "the YaYa". Many have already posted notes of sympathy on her facebook page. Paula was a giver who gave much more than she asked for in return. She was this way to her husband, her family and to her friends. She loved to laugh and have fun. She made you smile with her own beautiful smile. She truly loved life to the very end. We loved her so much and we miss her dearly already. She is survived by her parents, Richard and Hazel Schleicher of Park Rapids, MN; husband, Charles Collins of Bloomington, MN; three daughters, Shannon (Scott) Reinhardt of Cataula, GA, Jessica (Keith Clemons) Potter of Minneapolis, MN, Sara Potter of Columbia Heights, MN; sister, Rhonda (Jim) Anstine of Park Rapids, MN; three brothers, Rick (Annie) Schleicher of Park Rapids, MN, Brian (Patsy) Schleicher of Visalia, CA, Eric Schleicher of Las Vegas, NV; seven grandchildren; and numerous friends and relatives. She is preceded in death by grandparents. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 8, 2010 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN with Reverend Stephen Norby officiating. Honorary casketbearers will be her grandchildren: Devin, Russell, Tallie, Derrick, Jerrica, McKenzie, and Shyla.