Elizabeth Collins

Elizabeth "Ezby" Collins 1922-2016 PRINCETON — Elizabeth "Ezby" Collins, 93, of Princeton and the world died Sunday, May 8, 2016, at Liberty Village in Princeton. She was born July 5, 1922, in Indianola, Iowa, to David A. and Eva (Morgan) Middleswart. She married Earl B. Collins on June 16, 1946, on the Middleswart farm in rural Indianola, Iowa. Ezby was a graduate of Indianola High School in 1939 and attended Simpson College prior to taking a role as a school teacher at one-room schoolhouses, Cool School and Scotch Ridge, Iowa, for five years. She was shortstop on the Indianola kittenball team and employed by Pioneer Hi-Bred Seed Corn Company where she calibrated seed and met her husband, Earl. Relocating in Princeton, over the years, Ezby earned many epithets as Mrs. Cub, the Lovejoy Lady, the Pie Lady, the Quilt Lady, the Hat Lady and the face of the Custard Corner. She would want it mentioned she was a member of Jolly Companions 4-H Club and Cute Cookies 4-H Club leader. She was a VFW Auxiliary member for greater than 50 years, a member of the Methodist Women's Group and FUMC, and member of the Owen Lovejoy Board more than 20 years. Ezby was a member of the Newcomers Club, vice president of the Douglas School PTO, member of the Princeton Junior Home Bureau, Princeton Tourism and Visitors Bureau for greater than 10 years, Princeton Red Hats, Bureau County State's Attorney's Child Protection Services, secretary-treasurer of Princeton Tiger Quarterback Club, volunteer at B & C Computing and a participant in the 1986 Hands Across America. She was the first prize winner in the Bureau County American Cancer Society Weight-A-Thon in 1986 and winner of the Del Monte "Mom's a Winner" Sweepstakes of $10 for purchase of a bag of groceries, yes, many years prior. She was awarded the 2006 Volunteer of the Year Award in Bureau County, the Princeton Pride Award, Outstanding Citizen Award, and honorary great-great-great-granddaughter of Owen Lovejoy. Ezby was a lifelong Cubs fan, a collector of clowns, trolls and all things orange. She enjoyed all sports and was best known for making and gifting quilts and pies. She was a true "people person." She is survived by two daughters, Ellie (Dennis) Yoder of Grundy Center, Iowa, and Evalyn (Wayne) Hassler of Princeton; one son, Edward (Tonia) Collins of Normal; three grandsons, Kevin (Stacey) Yoder, Scott (Mandy) Yoder and Brent (Susie) Collins; one granddaughter, Bridgette (Jeremy) Ball; and 11 great-grandchildren. Ezby was preceded in death by her husband, parents, five brothers, four sisters-in-law and a daughter, Priscilla Sue. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, in the First United Methodist Church in Princeton with Pastor Brian Gilbert officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial take place in the Oakland Cemetery in Princeton. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church of Princeton or the Lovejoy Homestead. The Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com.

Elizabeth Collins

July 5, 1922 - May 8, 2016