Marshall Frederick Collins

Marshall Collins, 78, of Davenport, IA, passed away at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House on October 28, 2025. Born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on December 8, 1946, to Dr. Robert and Ruey (Moore) Collins, Marshall lived a life defined by service, humor, and devotion to his family.

After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1965, Marshall attended the University of Nebraska, earning his degree in 1973. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1970, completing 24 months in the Republic of Vietnam and receiving two Bronze Stars with Oak Leaf Clusters for his service.

Marshall went on to dedicate more than 36 years of his professional life as a civilian contracting officer for various Department of Defense commands at the Rock Island Arsenal.

On January 2, 1993 he married DaNell Jukulen in an epic ice storm. His greatest joy came from his role as “Papa” to his eight perfect grandchildren, who will always remember him as the ultimate jokester and legendary ice cream maker.

Known as the unofficial neighborhood trash picker-upper and recycler, Marshall never let a good alley find go unclaimed. He enjoyed a good laugh and maintained his sharp wit and sense of humor until the end.

Marshall is survived by his wife, DaNell; children Andrew Collins (Zhe Zhu), Matthew Collins, Noelle (Alex) Bartlett, and Emily Collins; and grandchildren Trenton (Tessa), Lianna (Carter Young), Avery, Maxwell, and Theodore Marshall Bartlett; and Julia, Benjamin, and Anna Collins. He is also survived by siblings Robert (Karen) Collins, Martha Calta, and twin brother Richard (Jan) Collins; sisters-in-law Robin (Donnie) Schuster, Tracy Jukulen, and Melissa Abben; brothers-in-law Daneth and Brandon (Sandy Clover) Jukulen; nephews Robert (Sue) Collins, Travis and Trevor (Emily) Schuster, Tyler (Larissa) Sorenson, and Ethan Abben; and nieces Rebecca (Pete) Engelman, Margaret (Charlie) Linsday, Anne Calta (Kimber Blume), Amy Yost, Lindsey (Mark) Wisham, Erika Schuster; Desiree (Roy Pierce), Niki and Marissa Hansen; and Emily (Justin) Becerra.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law Ronald Calta; and nieces Elizabeth Calta Brown and Elise Collins.

Marshall’s family and friends will remember him for his humor, boundless trivial knowledge, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. They will do their best to live up to his high standards for proper vehicle and home maintenance — though they will dearly miss his reminders and advice on these (and many other) matters.

Friends and family may gather to share remembrances of Marshall on Saturday, November 15 from 2-5 p.m. at Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Iowa Public Radio, honoring Marshall’s lifelong curiosity and love of learning.