Louella Mae Collins

Louella Mae (Fredrickson) Collins, 91, of Sioux City, passed away peacefully on, August 24, 2026.

A Mass of Christian Burial is pending at Holy Cross Parish – St. Michael Catholic Church. Visitation with the family is pending at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City. Burial will be at St. Patrick Cemetery in Danbury, Iowa.

Louella was born on March 8, 1935, at her family home near Danbury, Iowa, to George and Stella (Bumsted) Fredrickson. She attended Fairview Country School through the eighth grade before continuing her education at Oto High School, graduating in May 1953. She later attended National Business Training School and worked as a bookkeeper at Hansen Glass & Paint for five years.

On June 25, 1960, Louella married Keith W. Collins at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Danbury, Iowa. Together, they made their home in Sioux City before moving in January 1968 to a new home southeast of Hinton, Iowa, where they raised their three sons and built a life together. Keith passed away on September 30, 1985.

In May 1994, Louella moved back to Sioux City, where she spent many years working as a housekeeper. She was also well known for something much sweeter, her love of baking. For many years, Louella operated a small baking business, selling her homemade baked goods at the farmers market and filling orders for countless customers, many of whom became dear friends. Her breads, bars, dinner rolls, and especially her caramel rolls were enjoyed by many over the years.

Louella loved staying busy and being around people. She belonged to several card clubs over the years and could often be found playing cards several days a week, especially Pitch and 500. She also enjoyed taking day trips, with mystery bus trips being a favorite, and was a devoted fan of the Sioux City Explorers. Family gatherings and holidays were especially important to her and were rarely complete without her potato salad, fried bread, cookies, or pies.

Those left to cherish Louella’s memory include her three sons and their wives, Bradley (Joan) Collins of Kingsley, Iowa, Brian (Kris) Collins of Merrill, Iowa, and Bruce (Jody) Collins of Sioux City, Iowa; her grandchildren, David (Megan) Collins, Dustin (Alysha) Collins, Ryan Collins, Ashley (Ryan) Bates, Mitchell Collins, and Emmalee Collins; and her great-grandchildren, Hadley, Danika, Everett, Amelia, and Amira Collins, and Hallie and Haisley Bates. She is also survived by her brother, Kenneth (Lila) Fredrickson, and her nephew, Deron Fredrickson.

Louella was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Keith; her parents, George and Stella Fredrickson; and her sister-in-law, Beverly Fredrickson.

Louella leaves behind a lifetime of memories made around kitchen tables, at ball games, during card games and family gatherings, and through the countless meals and baked goods she lovingly made for others. Her greatest legacy, however, is the family she loved so deeply and the many lives made a little warmer, sweeter, and fuller simply because she was part of them.