Marlene Rosemary Collins, 70, of Springfield, MO, passed away Wednesday, November 1, 2023. She was born July 7, 1953, to Otto and Rose Soel.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents and survived by her brother, Donald Soel, and her two sons, Christopher and Devin Collins.

Marlene was a kind and carrying woman who lived a life of service. She was known for an abundant love of animals and home-cooked meals. She often volunteered with Habitat for Humanity or provided foster services for the humane shelter. It was often quoted in her household that she "cooked for an army" when friends and family would visit. The amount of food was often a metaphor for the amount of love she gave to those who visited her home.

Marlene was also an artist, a writer of children's novels, and an avid romance reader. While living in California, she was honored with the distinction of blackbelt in the martial arts, Tang So Do - which provided her with the principles of perseverance and an in-dominatable spirit. She was a fan of Oakland Athletics baseball and San Antonio Spurs basketball teams. In her later years, she traveled to Ireland. It was there that she fulfilled a lifelong dream to visit numerous castles and experience the Cliffs of Moher.

Marlene was a person who knew love by the love she gave others.