Bertha (Bert) Lee Gullett Collins
Born: 9 Dec 1943
Died: 10 May 2010
At the age of: 66
Plot Number:
Spouse: Stanley Boyd Collins
Children: Stanley, Russell, Stephens, Michael, Pamela, Rebecca, Jewellee
Parents: James Harold Gullett, Ethel Gullett
Obituary:
MALTA – Bertha Lee Gullett Collins, also known as Bert, “Seven Feathers” and NaNa, returned to her Heavenly Father on Monday, May 10, 2010, at the age of 66 due to health complications.
She has homes in Malta and St. Augustine, Fla., where she could live conveniently close to her grandbabies on both sides of the United States.
Bertha was born Dec. 9, 1943, in Columbus, Ohio. She married Stanley Boyd Collins on Dec. 14, 1961. They were later sealed in the Logan Utah LDS Temple on July 14, 1970. They have been married for 48 years. Together, they owned and operated Collins Title and Abstract Co. Inc. and Land Title of America Group for 30 years in St. Augustine, Fla. Bertha was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as a Primary president, in a Relief Society presidency, Young Women’s presidency, a teacher for all ages, and as an early morning seminary teacher serving the youth both in Florida and Idaho for 30 years.
Bertha is survived by her spouse, Stanley Boyd Collins; her sons, J. Russell Collins (Barbara), Stephen Boyd Collins (Jennifer) and Michael Collins (Mindy); her daughters, Pamela Masters (Matt), Rebecca Hedelius (Matt) and Jewelee Steed (Garth); her siblings, John H. Gullett (Faye), Jason Gullett (Kim), Jasper Gullett (Josephine) and Judy Strelecki; 34 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, in-laws; and beloved friends. She was preceded in death by a son, Stanley Charles Collins; a grandson, Gary Cunningham; a brother, James Gullett; and her parents, James Harold and Ethel Gullett.
Her hobbies were her grandbabies. She gave everyone in her family an “Indian name,” where she would rename them and give them an “Indian blessing.” Bertha is lovingly known as “Seven Feathers” (each feather representing one of her children).
If we had to sum up our mother’s life in four words, it would be God, country, family and service. If mom could talk to us right now, she would say three things: “Thou shalt NOT whine,” “Thou art an eagle … FLY,” and “No empty chairs.” She reminded us to live our lives in such a way to make sure that there were no empty chairs at our heavenly home. We are going to miss getting a “Bishop Bert” letter of reprimand, conference cookies, being defended, a vat full of potato soup, spontaneous mystery trips in the middle of the night, grandbaby quarter questions, being told who to vote for in the upcoming election, saying the Pledge of Allegiance before Sunday dinners, and her outlined hand print on every letter or card sent. Thank you, for giving us a beautiful life. “You are the wind beneath our wings.” WE LOVE YOU MOM! We’ll see you on the other side.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at the Malta LDS Church, where friends and family may call from 12:30 until 1:45 p.m. Officiating will be Bishop Pat Manning. Burial will be in the Valley Vu Cemetery under the direction of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.
Funeral Program:
