Irma Mae Collins, age 91, of Argyle passed away peacefully in her home on March 9, 2023
surrounded by her family. She was born on Jan. 5, 1932 to Arthur and Mabel (Syring) Thorson in Fairview, Montana. Her family moved to IL when she was a young girl.
She graduated from Seneca High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Wayne T. Collins on Jan. 27, 1951 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Seneca, IL. She waitressed at the Ottawa Grill and in 1958 her and Wayne decided to farm in Blackstone, IL. In 1967, Irma started a milk route and drove a milk truck where she met many wonderful people and made a lifelong friend, Elise Ballard, who was like a second mother to her.
In Jan. 1974 they moved to Argyle, WI to operate a dairy farm. They also farmed by Gratiot,WI from 1978-1982 then moved back to Argyle. She worked at the restaurant The Pig Pen in Argyle, as a cook. She then decided to fulfill her lifelong dream by opening her own restaurant. On Aug. 3, 1976, she became the proud owner of Irma’s Kitchen serving the Argyle and surrounding communities for over 40 years. Her passion was baking. Her homemade donuts, cinnamon rolls, cookies and especially her pies, made her “famous” in a small town. She loved to cook and served up delicious home cooked meals to her customers near and far. “Love” was always the main ingredient in everything she created.
She made meals for the Senior Citizens in Argyle and Blanchardville. Irma’s Kitchen was truly Irma’s love, passion and joy. She poured her heart and soul into her work. Irma loved people and treated her customers as if they were her family. She would light up as she loved to share stories of her many years spent there.
Irma is survived by her children, Diane (Rod) Watts, Ransom, IL, Cyndi Summers, Mountain View, MO, Mary Jane Yedinak, Ransom, IL, Judy (Andy) Pink, Monroe, WI, Betty Jo (Roger) Tourdot, Rochelle, IL, John Collins, Gratiot, WI, Janet (John) Fox, Wiota, WI, Joyce (Joe) Flanagan, Argyle, WI and Patricia (Richard) Noble, Argyle, WI, 28 grandchildren and 70 great-grandchildren. Mark Garvey, Keith Peterson and Larry Lien who she thought of as honorary sons.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, her parents, a brother, Paul Thorson, a sister, Grace Reibe, two son-in-laws, and a great granddaughter, Madelyn Jo Langmeier.
Irma was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She was very charitable and giving and always willing to help someone in need. She sponsored children through Unbound Missions for many years. She supported the Sacred Heart Southern Missions and St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain S.D. A woman of great faith, she wrapped everyone in the power of prayers. She taught her children that faith is truly a gift and that it turns us into a person who values a deep relationship with God and people; it is a source of life to the fullest. Faith helps us to step out each day to serve God and our fellow man.
Irma would tell you that she was Truly Blessed. She lovingly raised a beautiful family of nine children and gave each of them an album with journaled stories of their life.
She fulfilled her dream by doing what she loved and made treasured scrapbooks filled with memories of her years at Irma’s Kitchen.
Irma's favorite pastime was making pie, journaling, sending cards to people to let them know someone was thinking of them, calling her family and friends, puzzling and spending time with her beloved cat, Silverbelle. Irma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.
She will be fondly remembered by all who knew her and greatly missed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday March 15, 2023, at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (313 N. Lafayette St, Argyle, WI 53504) with Rev. Michael Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. A visitation will be held Tuesday, March 14, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (313 N. Lafayette St, Argyle, WI 53504) and on Wednesday March 15, 2023, prior to the funeral mass. A Rosary will be prayed on Tuesday March 14, 2023, at 8:00 PM. The Erickson Funeral Home in Argyle is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Irma’s name.
