Bonita R. Collins, 79, formerly of Flandreau, died Saturday, February 14, 2009 at the Happy Siesta Nursing Home in Remsen, IA. She was born May 3, 1929 in Sioux Falls to Rueben and Mary (Moore) Reichelt. She attended grade school in Tea and graduated in 1947 from Washing High School in Sioux Falls. She attended SDSU in Brookings and earned a degree with a double major in journalism and home economics. Bonita taught country school while she was getting her degree. She taught for 15 years in several schools in Iowa and South Dakota. Bonita married James Collins on January 21, 1965 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Tea. She was a homemaker and very involved in raising their children. In 1999, she moved to Prairie Crossings Assisted Living in Brookings until 2001 when she moved to Happy Siesta Nursing Home in Remsen, IA. Bonita kept a diary throughout her life and also enjoyed reading, sewing, taking care of her kittens, music and loved to dance.

She is survived by her husband, James, Flandreau; 2 daughters, Theresa Collins, San Antonio, TX and Laura Collins, LeMars, IA; and a son, Arnold "Arnie" Collins, Brookings; a brother, Ervin Reichelt, Tea, SD and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Alberta Lammers.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 pm Thursday at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Flandreau, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation begins in 5:00 pm Wednesday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau, with a 7:30 pm prayer service.