Darlene McCollum

Darlene McCollum, age 66, of Breezy Point, formerly of Minnetonka, died at her home on Sunday, December 3, 2000. Memorial services will be at the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Crosslake on Friday, December 8, at 2:00 PM, with Reverend David Stevens and Reverend Kermit Youngdale co-officiating. Darlene?s family will receive visitors for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be private. Memorials are requested in lieu of flowers, to the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Mayo Mall Code 295, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN. 55455-0392.
Darlene Kolley McCollum was born on July 30, 1934 in Oak Park, IL, to Ernest and Florence (Peterson) Kolley. She was raised in the Bellwood area, and graduated from Proviso High School. She attended Purdue University as Biology major. While in college, she met her future husband Richard on a blind date, and they were married two years later on September 8, 1956. After raising their children, she worked in Real Estate for 10 years. The couple lived in Cincinnati, OH, Springfield, IL, New Albany, IN, and Minnetonka, MN. They moved to Breezy Point in 1990, where they have lived since.Darlene was a member of Our Savior?s Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes. She was active in the Breezy Point Women?s Club and the Ossiwinamakee Property Owner?s Association. She was very involved in her childrens? activities when they were younger, serving as a Girl Scout leader, a Sunday School teacher, and a faithful sports booster. She loved to shop, and enjoyed ceramics and painting. She and Richard traveled often, making trips to Hawaii and Alaska in the last year. Darlene was warm-spirited, friendly, and generous.

Darlene McCollum is survived by her husband Richard; 3 daughters Cynthia McCollum (John Mahoney), Excelsior, Cheryl McCollum (Steve Ottelien), Madison, WI, and Lisa (Stephen) Paul, Geneva, IL; a son Jeffrey McCollum, Minneapolis; a sister Janette (Robert) Garbutt, Tifton, GA; and 8 grandchildren, Neil, Kevin, Sarah, Jacob, Mary Catherine, Alice, Charles, and Josephine. Her parents and a two-year-old daughter Karen preceded her in death.