Gregg Alan Collins

Gregg Collins, 66, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly Friday, December 10, 2021 in Le Mars.

Funeral services will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.  Pastor Jon Meredith from the First Baptist Church in Le Mars will officiate.  Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars.  A public funeral procession will be leaving the Rexwinkel Funeral Home at 9:45 a.m.  Visitation with the family present will begin on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.  Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.  

Gregg was born August 2, 1955 in Le Mars, Iowa to Robert A. Collins and Lona Alice (Berger) Collins. He graduated from Le Mars Community High School in 1973.  He was a member of the high school band, Stage Band and The Notables.  His saxophone solos are remembered by many.  After high school he attended Iowa State University.

Gregg worked his entire life for the family business, Gus Pech Manufacturing. He was co-owner and partners with his younger brother, Cris, and served as Vice President/Secretary.  They were third generation Collins’ to own and operate the business. In 1900 their grandfather, Walter Oliver Collins, purchased the company after the death of the original owner, Mr. Gus Pech.  Their father, Robert and his brother Wayne, ran the business after Walter’s death, until Wayne’s passing in 1957. Gregg and Cris took over the company from their father in 1986.  Gregg worked as the Hydraulic Technician where he was extremely instrumental in the engineering, design and operation of several models of earth drilling equipment they manufactured.  Gregg was intelligent, creative and talented when it came to building drill rigs from scratch; not one rig ever left the building that was untouched, thoroughly inspected and had his blessing.  It was a moment of immense pride, not only for him, but the entire company. 

Gregg served on the NW Iowa Credit Union Board serving two terms as President, was a certified member of PADI Scuba Diving and a member of the First Baptist Church.

Gregg was a very talented musician who wrote, composed and played much of his own music.  He played the piano and saxophone with extreme passion that could take your breath away, and he mostly played by ear. He was very proud of his Yamaha Baby Grand Piano, which could often be heard being played throughout the neighborhood on a beautiful summer evening.  In his earlier years he played the keyboard and saxophone in the Country Jesters Band, and later in the 2nd Avenue Band.  He was also a DJ at numerous events. He taught piano lessons, enjoyed reading, watching movies, listening to music, playing golf, Taekwondo and photography (he even had his own dark room in high school.)  Gregg also worked at Collins Field Racetrack as a kid and had many fond memories of summers in Arkansas with his family, aunts, uncles and cousins.

By far Gregg’s greatest love in life was his son, Parker.  He treasured and loved spending time with Parker, raising and teaching him everything he could.  They enjoyed doing many activities together and spent endless hours on weekends hanging out and playing games with a house full of Parker’s friends.  He was very proud of him and his accomplishments, for marrying his wife Anna, and giving him his only grandchild Luna, whom he adored.

Gregg enjoyed life to the fullest with his uncanny sense of humor and lively personality and could make anyone laugh.  He was generous and showed much kindness to others.

Gregg will be lovingly remembered by his son Parker, daughter-in-law Anna, and granddaughter, Luna, of Le Mars; his brother, Steve (Barbara) Collins; nephew, Ryan Collins (John Rodriguez) of Ft. Meyers, FL; his brother, Cris (Christy) Collins of Le Mars; niece, Nicole (Dee) Schultz, and great nephews, Oliver and Oscar Thomas of Le Mars; niece, Corinne (Logan) Black of Phoenix, AZ; his beloved dog Sadie and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Alice Collins; grandparents, Walter and Margaret Collins and Samuel and Lona Berger.