Kathryn "Kay" Collins

Collins, Kathryn Ellen Elizabeth -- Age 100, of Swartz Creek, died March 8, 2023. Services will be held 11AM Monday March 13 at  Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek.  Visitation will be 9:30AM until time of service at the funeral  home on Monday March 13. Those desiring may make contributions to the Humane Society of Genesee County.

Kathryn was born February 4, 1923 in Sandstone, MN, the daughter of Rudolph F. and Jennie (Zwakman) Johnson. She married Dale Collins in 1945 he preceded her in death in 2001. Mom raced cars at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, Waterford, Michigan, Gratten, Michigan and Grayling, Michigan, in the late 50's and 60's. A Baby Blue Fiat Abarth Double Bubble was her race car of choice. Mom said she could probably repair a car engine provided she had a manual to follow. Once she took a VW Engine apart in a Small Engine Class. "Everybody else in the class brought things like outboard motors and lawn mower engines. "The instructor didn't know what to do with my car engine."  She worked as the Secretary and Bookkeeper with the family owned business Trio Motors Inc, along side her husband, Dale.  After retiring she moved to a cottage on Chub Lake in Gaylord, Michigan. Kathryn was a lifetime member of  Sports Car Club of America.

She is survived by 6 children, Jerry Lynn (Guy) Van Der Laag, Kathryn Ann (Robert) Kranz, Roger Dale (Susan) Collins, Ronald Kyle (Kae) Collins, Richard Alan (Tara) Collins,  Robert Mark (Debra) Collins;  17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband; daughter Beverly Jean Collins; son Norman Collins;  brothers, Robert Johnson and Gerald Johnson.

Kay's family extends a special thank you to Symphony of Linden and Mid Michigan Hospice especially Allie, Karyn, Lisa and Christine.

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.