I was born to Ralph and Anita (Matter) Senjem on August 9, 1947, in Rochester, MN. I grew up on a farm with a lot of love and family around me and I learned values that I embraced as an adult. I graduated from Hayfield High School in 1965 and attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa (loved Luther but could not find a major). I graduated from the University of Minnesota in Home Economics Education and taught Home Economics in Kenyon, MN for 25 years. Loved the students and teaching, not the politics.

I married Virgil Helgeson in 1973 and he died in 1988 at age 46. Virgil was the most generous man I ever knew. In 1992 I married Al Collinge. Al is the kindest man I have ever met. I also inherited his large and wonderful family. Al and I moved to Plant City, Florida, for 16 years before we retired again and moved back to Rochester. While in Florida God called me to ministry. Following seminary, I was rostered in the ELCA as an AIM (Associate Ministry) on July 13, 2004, and served at Apostles Lutheran for almost 10 years before retiring again. I really enjoyed the people and ministry. We returned to Rochester in 2013.

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in May of 2016. With exercise, I remained active and 'normal' for over 3 years. With PD, exercise is medicine! PD still progresses slowly; however, it eventually caught up with me. I refused to be defined by this disease. I remained very active and social. I died of PSP [Progressive Supranuclear Palsy] an atypical form of PD, on May 19, 2026.

I was preceded in death by my parents, 3 infant brothers (Dennis, Dallas, and Steven), 4 aunts (Hilda Paape, Beata Junke, Eileen Senjem, DeLores Fredrickson), 2 uncles (Gerhardt "Rusty" Matter and Arnold Matter), brother-in-law (Mark Staples), 2 nephews (Michael and Randy Staples), and great-nephew (Paul Staples).

Surviving are husband Al Collinge, two sisters, Jeaneen Staples and LaDonna (Bryan) Olson; 1 nephew and 1 niece: Jon (Holly) Staples and Teresa Staples, 7 great nieces and nephews and 14 great-great-nieces and nephews, and 2 great-great, great nephews, Al's daughters Teresa (John) Lodermeier, Ellie (John) Halverson and Denise (Jeff) Green; 11 step-grandchildren Justin (Kate) Lodermeier, Tara (Brian) Hofschulte, Ryan (Maria) Lodermeier, Brayden (Chasity) Lodermeier, Elyse Lodermeier, Kamren (Alexa) Lodermeier; Jennifer (Mike) Goncalves, Angela (Chris) Canales, Olivia (Gabriel) Escude; Zachary (Margaret Anne) Green, Michael (Gianna) Green; 10 step-greatgrandchildren; Taylor, Cadence, Mason, Carter, Caden, Keagan, Addison, Owen, Liam, and Isabelle.

The service will be at Bethel Lutheran in Rochester on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 11:00 am, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Interment will be at Bethel Lutheran Church Columbarium.

I would like to thank Al and Maria for being such wonderful advocates for me, Dr. Young and the team at Mayo who cared for me, and the nurses, caregivers and staff, at Aviva Riverbend, Zumbrota Health Services, and St. Croix Hospice. You were appreciated.

All are invited to stay for lunch which immediately follows the service. Have fun! Tell stories! Laugh a lot!