Pamela Collins

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Let us remember with Thanksgiving what God has done through His servant, Pam.

Pamela -- Pam Collins was born in Chicago Illinois on August 5, 1950, the child of Leroy and Lois Chapman. She was baptized into Christ; joined to his resurrection and life as a child. Pam was joined in holy marriage to Robin Collins on November 19, 1977, at St. John Lutheran Church, Pekin, Illinois. They were married for nearly 48 years. Pam and Robin were blessed with a daughter, Megan, on September 26, 1981. Pam was overjoyed to be promoted to “Gigi” with the arrival of grandchildren, Caleb in 2017 and Ruth in 2020. Falling asleep in the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, she joined the church, triumphant on August 18, 2025.

For much of her life Pam was a rolling stone having lived in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Alabama, Texas, and New York. But the place where she sank roots was Minnesota. And while she swore that she would never become a Minnesotan, she grew to love the people here and the opportunity to “live her best life.”

She came to Minnesota when her husband, Robin, was assigned his first position as a pastor in Moorhead, Minnesota. They lived there for four years. Among other jobs, she became a barista at a small coffee kiosk in a local hospital and spent many hours as a volunteer, supporting Megan’s involvement theatre and the arts.

In 1999, Pam moved to Staples, Minnesota, again because of her husband’s working as a pastor. She didn’t always like being a pastor’s wife, but she was supportive of Robin’s work in the ministry. The move to Staples was particularly hard for her until she had the opportunity to help start the “Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop” as a youth/student run not-for-profit organization. Her diligent and faithful work on this project earned her the “Staples Citizen of the Year” award in 2007.

Pam’s “best life” came pursuing art while in Staples. Previously, she had dabbled in pen and ink, charcoal, pastels, and watercolor. While in Staples, she decided to expand her expression in watercolor and broaden her interests, working in ceramic and glass mosaic. Then, she invented her own expression using “fabric as paint”. This was a process that drew upon her previous mosaic work, but used different colors and textures of fabric, layering them, gluing them together. In addition to creating art, she also enjoyed teaching others – of all ages – about art and encouraging their creativity. Pam found great artistic fulfillment taking things that were broken, torn or unused - like ceramics, glass and scraps of fabric – and turning them into something new and beautiful. Her artistic process reflected the way Pam continually faced challenges and repeatedly turned her life situation into something beautiful for herself, her family and others.

She loved and was loved by many friends and found great satisfaction helping and serving. Remaining to join her in heaven by God’s grace are husband Robin, daughter Megan Collins-Moore, son-in-law Andrew Moore, grandchildren Caleb Moore and Ruth Moore, sisters Nancie Fay, Becky Zygmunt (Ken) and 12 nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and nephews and many beloved friends.