Arthur Lee “Skin” Collins, age 81, of Broadus, Montana peacefully left us on April 15, 2024, at Holy Rosary Residential Living in Miles City with his loving wife by his side.
Skin was born August 27, 1942, in Cookietown, Oklahoma to Lois and Dena Faye Collins. Due to the death of his father, he started working at a young age. From selling blocks of ice to washing cars at the local gas station. He pulled cotton with his mother for a senior trip with his Temple High School graduating class. It didn’t take long for him to throw that cotton sack down and never looked back!
In 1957, Skin went on his 1st wheat harvest and traveled from Texas to Montana. While in Broadus, Montana in 1964, he met the love of his life, Betty Manker. They married two weeks later, and that love lasted nearly 60 years. They continued traveling for wheat harvest for 10 years. Then he opened a plant farm in Temple, Oklahoma. In August 1975, the family moved to Broadus, MT to assist father-in-law, Don Manker, with his farming operation. Skin then branched out and did custom farming for several others in the local area. Then he realized in his farming operations that he needed trucking, and he started Collins Trucking. This company provided services for commodities, cattle and other freight. He was always happy operating anything with a big motor!
Skin always worked hard and played hard too. He enjoyed traveling, wagon trains, Bronco games, golf, boating, noodling and dancing with his beautiful wife. Skin and Betty could always be found on any dance floor enjoying life.
Skin is survived by his wife Betty of Broadus, MT; his daughter, Jennifer Lee Miller (Robbie Amende) of Florence, AZ; his son, Donald Gene Collins of Flagstaff, AZ; his grandchildren: Shelby Lee (TJ) Austin of Gillette, WY; Dalton Collins of Darby, MT; Karli J. Collins of Billings, MT and Avary Green of Litchfield, AZ; great granddaughter Emma Lee Austin of Gillette, WY; a special cousin, Ruby Collins Hendrix of Temple, OK; special friend, Tomasa Pacheco and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father and stepfather, Bob Ivester; special uncle “Buck” Brandon, his brothers: Butch Ivester, David Ivester and sister Sharon Bridges; a niece Kathy Ivester and many aunts and uncles.
A visitation will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus with family receiving friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus. Interment will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday April 19, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday April 20, 2024
Powder River Congregational Church
Broadus, Montana 59317
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday April 19, 2024
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday April 20, 2024
Powder River Congregational Church
Broadus, Montana 59317
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Carol Schneidt says
Betty, Jenny and Donnie, Know that might thoughts are prayers are with you! Treasure your memories! Love you all! Carol Schneidt
Janet Rice says
Sister, Jenny and Donnie. So sorry that I can’t be there for you. Will remember Skin as doing anything he could do. Prayers and my condolences.❤️🙏
John McLees says
My Prayers and Love for you all.
Joe and Jackie Schneidt says
My condolences to you and your family
Betty you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Andrea & Vern Rice says
Betty, Jenny, and Donnie, so very sorry for your loss. Sending hugs and prayers
Roxy Burley says
Betty, Donnie and Jenny, sending you all my heartfelt condolences on the loss of Skin. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. ❤️
Robbin Stoddard says
Betty, Donnie, and Jenny, please accept my sincerest condolences. Skin was a wonderful man and will be missed. Praying for your comfort during this sad time.
Cindy Cathey Rock says
Sending deepest condolences on his passing. May he rest in peace. 🥀
Gerald & Janet Himelspach says
Betty and family, so sorry to hear of Skin’s passing. Our sympathy to you all.
Carol Mellor Hanrahan says
My condolences Betty, Jenny & Donnie. Prayers for all of you at this difficult time.
Carol Mellor Hanrahan
Sundi Eckholm says
So sorry for your loss! Thoughts and prayers to Betty, Jenny and Donnie! Skin will be missed by all that knew him.
Sylvia Zimmer says
So sorry for your loss…hugs..
Connie and Jesse Barnhart says
So very sorry for the loss of Skin. Your whole family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Diane and Bob and family says
Sorry for your loss but he endured such a long time of suffering. May you find peace in knowing that God has him in loving care. Prayers for you all in the coming days.
Dee Dee says
Sorry for your loss, Betty. Hugs!
Dee Dee Chiesa says
Sorry for your loss, Betty. Hugs!
Joe Kurkowski says
Betty, I remember the 80’s and working at First Security Bank and Trust in Miles City with Collins Trucking. I always enjoyed you and Skin. You were a fun couple, you appeared to really enjoy your trucking and just life in general!!
Ginni Myers says
Betty and Skin have been like 2nd parents to me. Always there for me, supportive in spirit and willing to lend a hand. We broke down in Broadus years ago and Skin got us fixed up immediately and wouldn’t take anything for his troubles. Just help someone else sometime he said. Heaven has gained a mighty fine man. Prayers for Betty, Donnie and my sista from another mother Jenny
Harry and Diana Goodwin says
Sending condolences to the family. Prayers for comfort during this difficult time.
Christina Thompson says
Thinking of a
Christina Thompson says
all of you, Lots of fond
Laura Lee Ullrich says
Bette,Donnie and Jenny, We are so sorry for your loss. I have so many fond memories, especially the Centennial Ball at the Capitol! Bette and Skin dressed to the nines in period clothing created by my mom dancing so beautifully together! You were quite the striking couple. And at Jenny’s wedding where Doug was the proud “ring buryier ”! I am thankful that Skin is now pain free and resting in peace. My prayers are with each of you as you member and celebrate his life.
Vanna Byrd says
My most sincere condolences to Skin’s family.
Wayne & Serena Wetherelt Jr says
Bette, Donnie, and Jenny Thoughts and prayers are with all of you in the loss of your loved one. Prayers for comfort in this difficult time. May your memories give you peace in the days ahead.
Dennis and Bonnie says
So sorry Betty for your loss of Skin..Thinking of you and family..
Patty Williams says
Betty, Jenny, and Donnie–So sorry to hear of Skin’s passing. May each of you be comforted by memories of happy times and better days.
Dale and Karen Amende says
Betty, So sorry to hear of Skin’s passing. We know you will miss him. May your memories of many years together help you through the loss. Jenny & Donnie too, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Stabler Hazel says
Betty and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed working with you before my retirement. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
BOBBI BALLOU says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Hugs!
Linda&Dick Hurley says
So sorry to hear Skin passed away. Sometimes it’s a blessing. These golden years are kind of crappy.
Dave &. Carole Richards says
So very sorry for your loss!!! We always enjoyed a good visit with Skin! Sending prayers and hugs!
Georgia Bement says
So sorry for your loss you all are in my prayers🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️
Laura Oliver says
Betty and family, so sorry to hear about Skin. Prayers and hugs Betty.
Joe Prater. Dewey Woods says
Sorry to hear about Skins passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.Dewey would like to hear from you 5804589593.
Dick says
Flo you know how much I love & pray for you at this time my deepest condolences to you and your family 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Lee & Sonia Fruit says
Betty, Jenny, and Donnie; We are thinking of you at this time and are sorry for your loss. It is a tough time for you, but your special memories as well as your friends will help you through this difficult time.
Steve and Tracy Vail says
Our thoughts are with you
Ella Mae Morris Drane. says
So sorry to hear about Skin,we have Alot of fun memories and he is done suffering.Gods Blessings on all of you.
Alice Mattern says
My thoughts have been with you, Betty, since I learned of Skin’s passing. It’s a difficult road ahead of you, but you are strong and will make it through. Enjoy your memories, they will last forever.
And thanks again for introducing Roger & I.
Cora Mae Ofstie says
Betty & family, I am sorry for your loss. Prayers for you💕
Sandra Trucano says
So sorry to hear of Skin’s passing; I did not know until now. I still remember the last Sonnette dance we were all at and the good visit I had with you both.