“This is not how I wanted my journey to end.” A quote from Nikki on August 18^th, 2014, when she found out chemo was no longer working and the disease had progressed. She went to Heaven on September 6, 2014 at the age of 42.  Our hearts are breaking with her loss!

Nikki was born in Menomonie, Wi. on November 7^th, 1971 to Cheryl Joyce (Phillips) Collins and Timothy Gifford Collins. Her sister Sara Nicole was born in La Crosse three years later. The family traveled all over the country during the summers, camping in almost all of the States and Canada, attending the World’s Fair in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1986, going to lots of ballgames and historical places. Many times the girls would take a friend or cousin.

Nikki was a life long member of Olivet Lutheran Church where she was confirmed and married. She attended Summit Elementary School, Logan Middle and High School where she was a three sport athlete: Volleyball, Basketball and Softball. She received several awards in Softball, was Prom Queen and Student Council President.

After graduation she received an Associate Degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant from WTC and later a Certificate in Massage Therapy. She married Jason Breecher on June 19^th, 1993 and they moved to Hawaii. Their beautiful daughter Jenna Nicole Breecher was born there on September 17^th, 1994. Nikki and Jason later divorced.

Nikki married Bret David Eilertson on October 9^th, 2004 and Lucas Bret Eilertson was born September 17^th, 2005. Nikki was employed at Mayo Health System in Physical Therapy for 19 years. Her “work family” was always very supportive, especially Kim, Tannis and Marilyn.

Nikki’s cancer journey began at Rochester Mayo on May 20^th, 2010, when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Sara continuously researched everything on Colon Cancer and that lead to treatment at Gundersen Lutheran, La Crosse, The Block Clinic in Evanston, Illinois, Creighton University Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, University Cancer Center in Goshen, Indiana, and Mayo in La Crosse. Nikki, Sara, and Cheryl took a pilgrimage to Abadiania, Brazil in 2012 to see “John of God” a faith healer. These were great bonding times.

Nikki remained focused on getting well. She had a positive attitude and mentored many newly diagnosed people. She chose not to hear any negative test results and said “You can tell my family, but I’m going to continue to fight anyway.”

Nikki was a beautiful person on the inside and out. She was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a terrific cook and baker, she loved to entertain, decorate for all holidays, taught Sunday School and Bible School, and was named the Volunteer Coordinator of the Year at Mayo. She also did Respite Care for many years.

Nikki loved to shop and at Christmas time she and the kids would buy many gifts for families on the Caring Tree. She also loved camping and campfires, to go on her parent’s pontoon, travel, Hawaii; Door County; and waterfalls. Nikki loved the Collins family parties, especially if there was dancing and she loved the Phillips family camp outs. But most of all she loved being with her children and family.

She leaves behind her husband Bret, children Jenna (19) and Lucas (8), mother Cheryl, father Timothy, sister Sara Nicole (Collins) Monroe, brother-in-law Robert Monroe, niece Taylor Nicole Collins Monroe, nephew Braedon Gifford Thomas Monroe. In-laws David and Pam Eilertson and Charlotte Eilertson, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Susan and Richard Michalke, nieces Melissa (Eric Lambrecht) and Mikayla and nephew Michael.

Maternal grandmother Ione Phillips. Maternal aunts and uncles Rev. James and Janine Phillips, Tom and Lauri Phillips, Steve and Robyn Phillips and Deb and Marvin Jacobson.

Paternal aunts and uncles Rich and Kate Collins, Mary Merfeld, Pattie Harding, Kathleen and Jim Donskey, Jeanne Collins and Jim Bayorgeon, Mike and Alice Collins, Terry and Karolyn Collins, Bill and Jean Collins, Mark and Millie Collins, Sheila and Steve Yates, Julie Andersen and many, many cousins.

She was predeceased by her infant sister Jennifer, maternal grandfather Austin Phillips, paternal grandparents Gifford and Rita Collins, an uncle Wm. Merfeld and former in-laws Toots and Ralph Breecher.

We would like to thank the Chemo Department at Mayo La Crosse and Dr. Haleem Rasool, anyone who sent food, flowers, money, or helped in any way. In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to help defray medical expenses.

Nikki had a strong faith and held onto a little wooden cross when she went to heaven.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 12th, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., at Olivet Beacon of Light Lutheran Church, 2100 Bainbridge St., La Crosse. Pastor David Baldukas will officiate. Visitations will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, September 11th and also one hour prior to the service on Friday both at the church. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.