Lari Ann Collins

Lari Ann (Straight) Collins, 61, passed away October 18th at St. Luke’s Hospice House from metastatic breast cancer. She was born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1964. As a teenager, she was active in White Church Christian Church and Job’s Daughters. She graduated from Washington High School in 1982. As an adult, she pursued a career in restaurant management, but subsequently found her true love in providing daycare for children. She married Tom in 1992 and together they served a long Army career. While these are the basic facts of her life, Lari Ann was so much more.

She was fun, funny, spontaneous and always organized. She was also a very generous, empathetic and loving soul. Nowhere was that more apparent than her amazing relationship with the four Ardrey kids, whom she helped raise while she was stationed with Tom in Virginia. They called her “Lala” and their two-decade relationship is a testament to what true love is. Lari Ann also touched the lives of many other children. She was profoundly grateful to Ellen and Ed Ardrey, Alysia and Jason Meek, and Liza and Wes Lafolette for sharing their children with her. Fond memories of the way Lari Ann loved, nurtured and cherished these and other kids will last a lifetime.

Lari Ann brought that same love for children to her love of animals. Over the years, she rescued numerous cats and dogs and gave them safe and loving homes. Lari Ann was also extraordinarily creative, bringing a very personal touch to everything she did. The Ardrey kids called her style “Lala-fying” things, whether she was decorating a room, making jewelry or sending love to someone in need.

Lari Ann’s compassion, generosity, kindness and the super relatable way she interacted with both children and adults, made her the extraordinary human being that she was. Without her, the world is poorer and she will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her father, Larry Straight, whom she adored. Lari Ann is survived by her immediate family: Her husband, Tom Collins (Colonel, U.S. Army retired); her sister, Sheri Knight and niece Malia; and her brother, Chris Straight and niece Soap and nephew Coleman.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 2 pm, at the Simpson House, 4509 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111. In lieu of flowers, Lari Ann asked that her friends and family consider making a donation to St. Luke’s Hospice House (https://give.saintlukeskc.org/give/488429/#!/donation/checkout) and/or Pampered Poms Rescue (http://pamperedpomsrescue.org/donate).