Elissa Ann Collins, 85, of Stark, died June 26, 2023. Born November 30, 1937, in Sioux City, Iowa, Elissa was the daughter John L Collins and Charlotte (Sturtevant) Collins. They preceded her in death.
Elissa graduated from Central High School in Sioux City, Iowa with the class of 1956, graduated from Ellis Cosmetology College Sioux City, Iowa in 1957, graduated from Central State University Edmond, Okla. in 1965, and graduated from Pittsburg State University with a Master’s Degree. She was a member of Kansas Home Economics Association, Rock’n’Roll FCE, Erie Study Club and Beta Sigma Phi-Xi Delta Psi Chapter- Erie, and CARSP. Elissa was awarded the Kansas Home Economics Association Teacher of the Year in 1992-93 and was placed in the Kansas Teacher Hall of Fame June 6, 2015 at Dodge City. She taught school at Stark High School, Erie High School and substituted after retirement at St. Paul High School, Erie High school and Galesburg Middle School.
Elissa and Bill Bruneau were united in marriage December 1, 1956. He preceded her in death in August of 1961. They had two sons, Rusty J Bruneau and Ricky W Bruneau. She married Robert (Bob) Collins December 11, 1965. He preceded her in death in June of 2010. They had one son, Scott Robert Collins and one daughter, Deanna Elissa Tackett.
Elissa is survived by her sons Ricky Bruneau (wife Everly) of Chanute, and Scott Collins (wife Jill) of St. Paul and daughter Deanna Tackett (husband Mitch) of Deerfield. Sixteen grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren also survive.
In addition to her parents Elissa was preceded in death by her husband Bill Bruneau, husband Robert Collins, son Rusty J Bruneau, sister Carlotta Jaynes, sister Shirley Brooks, and sister-in-law Ethel Oralee Beggs.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 3, at United Methodist Church, in Stark. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m., until service time at the church. Pastor Susan Cole and Kelly Denison will officiate. Memorials are suggested to Stark Alumni or Grant Community Center, Stark, KS. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com..