Peter Dale Collins, 48 years old, of Sister Bay, passed away suddenly due to complications from a lifelong heart condition, on Monday April 10, 2023, while at his “Happy Place” in Eagle River, WI, with his sister by his side.
He was born on March 20, 1975 in Two Rivers, WI, to William and Julie Ann (Stenzel) Collins. Peter graduated from Gibraltar High School in 1993. He was a dedicated employee for JF Construction, Inc. for over 24 years as a heavy equipment operator, a job he did not take lightly. He took great pride in his work with much attention to detail.
On August 22, 2020, he married the love of his life, Heather (Lhost) Olson, at Eagle Waters Resort in Eagle River, WI. On that special day, he not only gained a wife, but he also gained two stepdaughters, who he loved dearly, and he was very proud of them and their accomplishments so far in their young lives.
In his younger years, Peter enjoyed cutting the grass, woodworking, and cleaning the family cottages with Grandpa Ozzie, camping, playing little league baseball, was in Boy Scouts, liked to ride dirt bikes and four wheelers and had a lot of fun playing around, riding bicycles, and causing mischief with his “Harbor Boys” – you know who you guys are!
Peter enjoyed being the captain of his pontoon boat and giving his friends and family a tour of the Eagle River chain whenever he could, riding the trails of the Northwoods on his UTV and snowmobile, hunting, fishing and enjoying fun times with his friends and family, no matter where he was. He was a master at cooking, grilling (both indirect heat grilling and on his Yoder smoker), impersonating, cracking jokes, making everyone laugh and was always the life of the party.
Peter, also known as “Pete” to many of his best buddies, will forever be known as the “Musical Library”. He had such a love for music (every genre and knew the lyrics to every song, no matter what the song was). With his love of music, he enjoyed so many concerts and was also quite talented when it came to playing “air” instruments - drums, guitar, clarinet, just to name a few! A genuine Green Bay Packers fan, Wheel of Fortune fan (both the TV game show and slot machines) and a man of many sayings - most and many of which should not be said in public – “Ya Right” – is putting it nicely!
Surviving family includes his wife, Heather of Sister Bay; two step-daughters, Kayla and Eva Olson; mother, Julie Collins of Sister Bay; sister and brother-in-law, Jill and Bruce Alexander of Baileys Harbor; special nieces (known to them as Uncle PP), Sophia and Chloe Alexander; mother-in-law and father-in- law, Julie and Gary Lhost of Sister Bay; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jody and Scott Walker of Egg Harbor; Uncle Terry Stenzel of Ephraim; his four legged fur buddy, Nick, that he inherited from his late Father Bill, and his four legged 70-pound fur baby boy, Lambeau, which he and Heather welcomed into their family in October of 2022. He is further survived by many cousins, so many friends (lifelong and new) and his JF Construction work family.
Preceding him in death and reuniting with him in Heaven are his father, William Collins; his uncle, Dale Stenzel (whom he never met, but was honored to have carried on his name); maternal grandparents, Oswald and Violet Stenzel; paternal grandparents, Leon and Myrtle Collins; and sadly a few of his 1993 Gibraltar classmates.
Public graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 28, 2023 at Blossomberg Cemetery in Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, WI. A celebration of Peter’s life will continue at Alexander’s Restaurant in Fish Creek from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m.
The family would like to give special thanks the Police Department, First Responders, and Fire Department of Eagle River; Luke Nelson, condominium neighbors Chuck and Sue Kuhnmuench and Renee and Brian Heid, Scott Williams, Eric Peil, and Scott Walker, Pastor Gary Scharrig, Judy Pluff, Bryan Pluff, Greg Casperson, Todd Huehns, and the rest of the Huehns/Casperson staff for all of their assistance and help during this extremely shocking, sad, and difficult time.
Memorials can be directed to the charity, foundation, or organization of your choice in Peter’s name and memory.
Casperson Funeral Home in Sister Bay is assisting the Collins family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Peter may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.
