Martha Jean Collins

Martha Jean (Greiner) Collins was born January 21,1931, in rural Zearing, Iowa to Adolph Greiner and Marie C. (Cloonen) Greiner. She Attended Zearing School until her parents moved to Nevada in 1939, then attended Richland No. 9 country school through 8th grade, and graduated from Nevada High School in 1948. She married Richard Collins of Nevada on March 2, 1952, moving to a farm they had rented.
Martha worked for nearly five years after high school as a secretary in Nevada, then became a full-time mother. In 1977, she took a job in Nevada until 1990. In May 1990, she started work as a secretary at Wandling Engineering in Ames until her retirement in February 2006.
Martha was a member of neighboring club for several years until she started working full-time. She also enjoyed sewing, reading, the computer, and organized her class reunions at different times hosting, "Breakfast in the Timber" for class reunions.
After nearly 54 years on the same farm, she and Richard purchased their retirement home in Colo, Iowa. After a month of remodeling, painting, carpeting, etc. they made their move in February 2006, with the help of their children and friends.
She is survived by three sons: James Richard (Gail) Collins of Colo, Jeffery Lee (Robin) Collins of Nevada, and Jerald Alan Collins of Maxwell. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Jamie Sue (Mike) Moret of Elkhart, Megan Renee (Robert) Neilson of Colo, Amy Marie (Jereme) Cox of Nevada, and Nathan Jon Collins of Nevada. She also leaves a great-granddaughter, Lola Ann Cox, great-grandsons: Jordan Cox, Tyce Moret, Reece Moret, and nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death was her husband Richard John Collins, her son, John Nichael Collins in 1956, her parents, a brother, Donald Greiner, and sisters, Shirley Lottenbach and Eileen Ackerman.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home (1418 Fawcett Pkwy) in Nevada. Martha will be laid to rest at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery in Nevada.
Memorials may be made to Iowa Public Television in memory of Martha.
Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with the care of Martha. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.