Genene Ann Collins

On September 26, 2024, Genene Ann (Zimmerman) Collins was peacefully reunited with her beloved husband, Ronald Joseph Collins. Genene, the only child of Rosabelle Violet (Robertson) Zimmerman and Eugene Hilton Zimmerman, was born on June 11, 1932 in Grand Traverse County, Michigan.

Genene grew up, the head Herdsman’s daughter, on the Scripps’ Estate Wildwood Farm in Lake Orion, Michigan where her childhood home still stands. She met Ron, the “most handsome guy,” at a church-sponsored dance, eventually marrying the love of her life on October 4, 1952.

She was an active community member in Clarkston as a business owner, and a member of St. Daniel's Catholic Church until the couple’s retirement and relocation to Traverse City, Michigan. Throughout her life, the very talented Genene enjoyed walking in nature, bird watching, and she thoroughly loved a good book.

Those remaining to celebrate Genene’s life include her children: Brian and wife Denise (Central High, OK), Bruce (Grand Blanc, MI), Dr. Barry and wife Jennifer (Marshall, MI), Bettijean and husband Jeff Thiel (Bellevue, WA), Brad and wife Sheila (Clarkston, MI), and Blair and wife Maryann (Waterford, MI). She had six grandchildren: Joshua (Candice) Collins, Brian (Danielle) Collins, Madeleine (Gavin) Curry, Natalie Thiel, Lillian Thiel, and Kamryn Collins; and five great-grandchildren, Kylie, Katie, Ethan, Jack, and James Collins.

Interment in the East Lawn Cemetery, Lake Orion, Michigan will take place under the direction of Sparks-Griffin Funeral Home in Lake Orion.