Linda Kay Collins Obituary in Ankeny at Memorial Services of Iowa

Obituary For Linda Kay Collins

Linda Kay Collins, 79, passed away May 16, 2026, in Ankeny, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Ankeny First United Methodist Church (206 S.W. Walnut Street, Ankeny). A funeral will follow at the church at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow the service at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. The service will be livestreamed at https://ankenyfirstunitedmethodi.subspla.sh/b8hx4w5

Linda was born in Jefferson, Iowa, on March 10, 1947, to Glen and Gladys Rice. She was the middle child in a family of seven children.

Linda was very active in the dental profession during her lifetime. Her employment began in dentistry immediately following graduation from Jefferson High School in 1965. She married Jim Collins on August 2, 1969. They moved to Iowa City and Linda began employment at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry as a teaching assistant. While employed she attended night class to become a Certified Dental Assistant and later met requirements for a Registered Dental Assistant. Following Jim’s graduation from the College of Dentistry, they moved to Ankeny in 1972. She was employed in his dental practice for 40 years and retired in 2012. Linda touched many lives during her career.

Linda was very devoted to her chosen profession. She served as President of the Iowa City Dental Assistants Society, and she was named ‘Outstanding Dental Assistant of the Year’ for the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids area. Linda was a representative for American Business Women’s Association for National Business Women of the year. She presented dental health programs for preschool children in the community. Jim and Linda were nominated for the Iowa Character Award. Past involvement in the community included Jayceettes, Ankeny Federated Women’s Club, Campfire leader, and member of the Ankeny First United Methodist Church.

Linda had a great love for children and did volunteer work with the many activities her children were involved in. Her greatest love was spending time with her family, and she was a thoughtful and caring person to those around her. Her family was kept as the center of her world, and she especially loved celebrating the holidays with family. Family and friends were a top priority in her life.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Dr. Jim Collins; daughters, Angela (Mark) Perschnick of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and Valerie Gonzalez of Ankeny, Iowa; grandchildren, Collin, Nathan, Isabel, and Christian; siblings, Barbara Tilley of Jefferson, IA, Glenda Hillhouse of Ames, IA, Darwin (Diane) Rice of Jefferson, IA, and Beverly (Tracy) Olson of Willmar, MN; sisters-in-law, Sheryl Rice of Ankeny, IA, and Kathy Rice of Jefferson, IA; and many nieces, nephews and friends that were very special to her.

Preceding Linda in death were her parents; brothers, Duane and Wayne Rice; and brothers-in-law, Robert Tilley and W.C. Hillhouse.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Food Bank of Iowa or Make-a-Wish Foundation.

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