Bernice Ann Collins

Bernice Ann Collins (Plese) of Kansas City, Kansas passed away peacefully on October 25, 2023 at the age of 93. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 3, 2023 at St. Mary’s-St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 615 N 7th St Trfy., Kansas City, Kansas 66101.Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM.  Following Mass, internment will take place at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 1150 N 38th St, Kansas City, Kansas 66102.

Bernice was born to Izidor and Zora Plese on May 27, 1930 in Kansas City, Kansas. She attended St. John the Baptist Catholic Grade School and graduated in 1948 from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas. Soon after graduation, she met the love of her life, Eugene “Gene” Collins, and on July 23, 1949 they were wed. She remained married to Gene for 74 years until his passing in August of this year. Together, Bernice and Gene raised three children on Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas. Bernice worked for Trans World Airline, A.S. Kent Company, and Wyandotte County Social and Rehabilitative Services doing secretarial work until she retired in 1990. Bernice was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary’s-St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and a member of the Altar Society. She was active at her children’s school serving as room mother, school historian, lunch server, and as a volunteer with the Parent Teacher Organization. Bernice was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, spending  much of her life caring for her beloved family. She was an active grandmother who loved holidays, sleepovers, and never missed a school or sporting event. She will be remembered for her kind and embracing demeanor and her love for dancing the polka. 

Bernice is survived by her daughter, Kathleen VandenBoom (Eugene H.) of Kansas City, MO; her son Fredrick (Elizabeth) of Olathe, KS; her grandchildren, Patrick Collins, Maureen Seufert (Matt), Bridget Collins, Theresa Helms (Jesse) and Joseph VandenBoom; and her seven great grandchildren. 

Bernice was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eugene Collins, her two daughters, Mary Catherine Collins and Elaine Ann Collins; her parents, Izidor and Zora Plese; her siblings, Theodore Plese, Mary Relic, Katherine Podrebarac, Helen Plese and Stanley Plese.

The family would like to thank the staff of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Home and St. Croix Hospice for their dedicated care of Bernice during her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Bernice can be made to St. Mary’s-St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Kansas City, Kansas or Beautiful Savior Lutheran Home in Belton, Missouri.