Obituary
Marian E. Collins
Marian E. Collins, 89, passed away on April 3, 2026.
Marian was born in Sparta, WI on July 13, 1936, to Roy and Alice Collins and lived in Melrose, WI throughout her high school years. She married Joe Yourell and had three children: David (Donna), Kim (Jim) and Jill (Mike-deceased).
Marian was proud to have worked at Gateway Foods for 25 years where she accumulated lifelong friends. Her career began as a keypuncher when data was entered on punch cards. As the computer age advanced, she moved on to entering data on a keyboard. She retired as the supervisor of all the data entry clerks.
She was an avid sports fan of all Wisconsin teams – pro, college and high school. She especially loved the Packers (and betting on them too). She also was an avid bowler playing on leagues and winning tournaments. She even had a 300 game to brag about. Marian’s other big hobby was shopping. Almost every Saturday she could be found in downtown La Crosse at Herbergers, Doerflingers, Kaumas, et al. (Kim and Jill were spoiled on every outing too.)
If you were a friend of Marian’s, you were a friend for life. No matter what little she had she was always willing to lend money, buy groceries or hand out the keys to her car. Her life touched so many and she will never be forgotten by any. Besides her children, Marian is survived by five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and her sister, Donna Lee Storandt.
Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family at this time.
I will miss my visits with Marian. Her stories that brought laughter and of course her mischievous smile with that little twinkle in her eyes. Hugs to all and as Marian would say, love ya!