Frances Collins

Frances Kathy Collins passed away on March 28, 2019 after a 22-month battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Frances was born on February 10, 1972 to Bill and Barb Tieyah in Junction City, Kansas. She moved to McPherson, Kansas in 1972 where she was raised and graduated from McPherson High School in 1990. She attended the First Baptist Church and loved swimming, running and being with her friends.

She married the love of her life Trace Collins on March 25, 1995. They lived in McPherson with Tahse before moving to Lawrence, Kansas and Flagstaff, Arizona for Frances to finish college. In Flagstaff Frances graduated from Northern Arizona University and worked for the Coconino National Forest Service.

They loved their time in Flagstaff and constantly were going on many adventures and enjoying the outdoors of Arizona. They moved as a family of 4 to Rifle, Colorado where Frances took a job with the White River National Forest service. She loved her forest family and they were a second family to her.

Her daughter Tahse Lynn was born on June 12, 1990 in McPherson, Kansas. She and Tahse loved each other fiercely and each took care of the other during their cancer battles. Tahse carries her mother’s love for people and the outdoors. After Tahse recovered from her cancer the three amigos traveled the country in their RV and made a lifetime of memories.

Billy Martin was born on June 4, 2010 in Flagstaff, Arizona.  Billy was her surprise baby that brought so much sunshine and joy to her life.  She and Trace loved sharing their love of the outdoors and making memories with Billy.

Frances loved nothing more than making memories and connecting with people. She leaves behind her beloved family Trace, Tahse and Billy of Rifle, Colorado, her parents Barb and Bill Tieyah of McPherson, Kansas, her sister and brother in-law Bettina and Ken Stutzman and niece and nephew Marissa & Wesley of Windsor, Colorado.  Also, her in-laws Mary and Martin Collins of McPherson, Kansas and brother in law Sonny Collins of Hillsboro, Kansas.  Also, her half-brother Harold Shinn of Norton, Kansas.  There are numerous extended family and friends that love her dearly.

Frances always ended her videos and posts with the following: Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.

A celebration of life will be held on April 12, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Veltus Park, 901 Midland Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO. A potluck will follow at the Collins home in Rifle. A Celebration of Life will be held in McPherson KS at a date to be determined.