Darletta Kay Collins

With deep love and gratitude for a life beautifully lived, we announce the passing of Darletta Kay Collins, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother on December 19, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas.

From the very beginning, she lived with a heart inclined toward service and a deep, unwavering faith. She was a faithful servant of the Lord, allowing her beliefs to guide her words, her work, and her daily life. Whether through quiet acts of kindness or steady, selfless labor, she consistently placed the needs of others before her own. She served in many capacities throughout her life, some of which include being an EMT in Wallace County and in the Catholic Church Women’s Alter Society always doing so with humility, strength, and grace and never hesitating to give her time, strength, or compassion to those in need.

Even though she most recently lived in Goodland, she was a longtime resident of Wallace County and a proud graduate of Wallace County High School, Class of 1969. She was born in Ft. Collins, Colorado on July 1, 1951 to Charles Chaney and Margaret (Basgall) Chaney. As the oldest of five children, she learned responsibility early in life. During her high school years, she held multiple jobs—working at Ed’s Grocery Store, hoeing sugar beets, and washing dishes at Heyl’s Café—to help support herself and her family and played a meaningful role in helping raise her younger siblings, a reflection of the nurturing and selfless spirit that defined her life.

On a hot July day in 1969, she married the love of her life and best friend, Dennis Collins. Their marriage was a true partnership built on faith, hard work, and unwavering commitment. Together, they shared more than 56 years side by side, working hand-in-hand in their cow-calf/farming operation driving the tractor and combine and running those chutes when working the cows. She could run circles around most people half her age. She will be fondly remembered for her delicious meals that could feed an army.

From this loving union, two children were born, Angela and David, whom she loved fiercely and unconditionally. Her pride in her children was evident in all she did, and her guidance and example will continue to shape their lives.

Her greatest joy came from her role as Mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma. Her grandchildren and great-granddaughter were the light of her life, and she cherished every moment spent with them.

She found peace and happiness in her garden, where her nurturing spirit truly bloomed. Sunflowers were her most beloved, and during the Christmas season she especially enjoyed poinsettias. She loved staying active and could often be found hiking, biking, running, and especially playing pickle ball. She also had a deep love for animals, treating them with the same kindness and care she gave to everyone around her.

Darletta was preceded in death by: her parents; her brother Dane Chaney, her sister-in-law, Judy (Collins) Koehn, her brother-in-law Jerry Collins, her nephew Marc Graham, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law Lola (Wostenberg) Collins and Elmer Collins.

She is survived by her loving husband, Dennis Collins; children, Angela (Kevin) Van Allen of Sharon Springs, KS and David Collins of Elizabeth, CO, her cherished grandchildren Sierra, Dylan, Madisan, Chandler, Noah, Tori, Teagan and Morgan, her precious great-granddaughter Kashlyn; her sisters Kathy (Gary) Robinson, Rodene (Gary) Doty, Teresa (Roger) Havel, and Denise (Wayne) Weyerman; sisters-in law Linda Collins and Jeanne (Rick) Pancake and many other relatives and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

She will be lovingly remembered and forever treasured.

Graveside services will be held in Sharon Springs, Kansas, in late spring/early summer, with details to be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to local food banks in her honor this holiday season or to breast cancer research directed to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and may be sent to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.