Robert E. Collier

Robert passed away Tuesday January 14, 2014 at his home, in the arms of his loving wife Theresa with his children surrounding his bedside. Carcinoid tumors of the abdomen contributed to his death.

Robert was born February 15, 1931 in Bryant, Wisconsin to Festus & Carrie (DeHart) Collier. He was the tenth of fourteen children.

Following high school he completed two years of service with the US Army. On April 14, 1951, Bob was united in marriage to Theresa Sarnowski at St. John the Baptist Church in Menasha. Together they raised a son and 4 daughters.

Bob was an active parish member at St. John’s all his married life. He retired from Kimberly-Clark in 1989. Robert’s joy in life was family and friends who will greatly miss him.

He is survived by his lovely wife of 62 years Theresa, 5 children, 7 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Surviving family members include: son Michael & Kim Collier, granddaughter Colleen & Chris Pierce, great-granddaughters Evelyn and Emalee. Daughter Sheree Joosten and granddaughter, Cortney. Daughter, Kim & Greg Hartjes, granddaughter, Michele & Brian Striegl and great-grandsons, Derek, Drew, & Riley; granddaughter Angie Sanderfoot and great-granddaughters Addison, Michaela and Natalie; grandson, Bryan & Jess Hartjes and great-grandsons Gregory and Douglas; Daughter Rebecca Collier & Richard Croteau; Daughter Vicki & Chris Vereb and grandchildren Olivia and Vincent. His siblings: Phyllis & Robert Arndt, Lloyd Collier, Frances Plummer, Dale Collier, Shirley & Basil Everson, Nancy & Robert Elwood; brother-in-law, Billie Burns; sister-in-law, Thecla Chaganos, and many other relatives & friends.

He was preceded in death by his friend & son-in-law Carl Joosten; his parents; parents-in-law, Walter & Mary Sarnowski; siblings, Arnold & Ruth Collier, Merle & Nevie Collier, Carroll & Ailene Collier, Marjorie Burns, William & Penny Collier, Betty & George Wells, and Joseph Collier; in-laws Thomas Plummer, Jack & Mary Ann Sarnowski, Agnes & Lester Keller, Andrew & Agnes Sarnowski, and Immanuel (Chag) Chaganos.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in memory of Bob.

Please join Robert’s family for a celebration in honor of his wonderful life. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 17, 2014 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Martens-Laemmrich Funeral Home in Menasha, with a 7:00 pm remembrance service. Visitation will continue on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Martens-Laemmrich Funeral Home at 9:30 am with a procession leaving for St. John the Baptist Church at 10:30 am. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00 am at St. John’s in Menasha.

A special thank you to his brothers Lloyd & Dale for the time they spent with Bob during his illness. An extra special thank you to his nephew, Arnie, for all the assistance he gave his uncle in the last months of his life.