Dorthea Jean (Vavroch) Collum

Dorthea Jean (Vavroch) Collum

Belle Plaine

Dorthea Jean (Vavroch) Collum, 80, of Belle Plaine, IA passed away December 4, 2024 at Compass Memorial Health Care, Marengo, IA.

Dorthea was born March 10, 1944 to Emil L. and Evelyn L. (Benn) Vavroch on the family farm near Elberon, IA. She attended Belle Plaine High School. Following her education, she worked at the Lincoln Café and Belle Plaine Community Center.

Later in life she met Robert “Jake” Collum while working at the community center. The couple were married June 21, 2008 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Belle Plaine.

Dorthea like spending time doing crossword puzzles, watching the news, Wheel of Fortune and reading the newspaper. Dorthea always had a smile on her face and loved meeting new people. She enjoyed going to new restaurants and when given the opportunity, traveling to new places.

She was devoted in her faith as a member of St. Michel’s Catholic Church and the Belle Plaine American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by her brother, Ron (Arlene) Vavroch; nieces and nephews, Randy Vavroch, Colleen (Ben) DeGuzman; great-nephew, Nicholas all of Cape Coral, FL; stepchildren, Terry Collum of Belle Plaine, Sandra Ohlhauser of Cedar Rapids; 7 step-grandchildren and 14 step-great-grandchildren.

Dorthea is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; stepson, Bradley Collum; step-grandson, Bradley Jr. Collum; and step-great-grandson, Brennon Collum.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Belle Plaine, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Rector Cemetery, Chelsea, IA.