Victoria L. Collins, 72, of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away on June 30, 2026, after an illness that she handled with peace. She often said she felt God’s loving embrace, for which she was deeply grateful.

Friends and family may visit from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Church of the Nativity in Dubuque.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the church with Rev. Craig Steimel officiating. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque, Iowa. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, is assisting the family.

Vicki was born on February 2, 1954, in Sturgis, Michigan, to Rondo Selser & Phyllis (Heitger) (Selser) Woods. She lived in Sturgis most of her young life and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1972. During her young life she also lived in Largo, Florida, Norfolk, Virginia, and Bradenton, Florida. By divine intervention, Vicki met the love of her life, James “Jim” Collins, in Dubuque in December 1973. Vicki and Jim were married on April 20, 1974. Vicki converted to Catholicism in October 1974. She believed in angels and often said she felt nudges that she needed to do something or reach out to someone. When she followed up on her nudges, she often found there was a need for her to do so.

Vicki had a long career working in office support positions, beginning with Life of Mid-America (LOMA) and ending with her retirement from Dubuque County. Vicki continued to stay in touch with some of her fellow LOMA gals and greatly enjoyed their monthly brunches. They were not just co-workers; they were family!

Vicki’s greatest joys in life were her faith & her family, including her grand dogs Ralph and Ghost and grand cat Rocky. Vicki felt blessed to be a part of her Collins family and for the special friendship with her sister-in-law, Jean. She also was grateful for her friendship with her brother, Peter, and for the decade’s long friendships with Vicki, Connie, Christine, Rachel, Candy.

Vicki enjoyed the years when she volunteered in her church, Church of the Nativity, Cub Scouts, and other Church and school activities. She felt blessed to be a mother and proud that her sons grew up to be good men. Their love and support were a true blessing to Vicki. She developed a deep interest and curiosity in the history of our planet and history of humankind. She loved her travels exploring the historical and geological wonders of our country. She loved to collect rocks.

Vicki is survived by her husband, Jim; sons, Michael Collins and Christopher (Allison) Collins; grandchildren, Mila and Jordy Collins; grand dogs, Ralph and Ghost; grand cat, Rocky; brothers, Peter (Sylvia) Padilla and Jon (Glenna) Padilla; sister, Rebecca Padilla; in-laws Thom Nickels, Jean (Tom) Fondell, Steve Collins, Bill (Jodi Bryson) Collins, and Joe Collins; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Vicki was preceded in death by her mother and father; step-mother Edna “Lee” Selser; step-father Donald Woods; sisters, Lorrie (Selser) Nickels and Kelly (Woods) Hecht; step-brother Edward Padilla; sister-in-law Yvonne “Bonnie” Collins; nephews Joel Nickels, William Plowman Jr. and Colin Lee Cole; her mother and father-in-law William and Mary (Koester) Collins; and many aunts and uncles from her Collins family, especially Clara (Collins) Noonan and Joseph Collins.

A memorial fund has been established in Vicki’s name to support the Dubuque Regional Humane Society, Hospice of Dubuque, and the Oglesby Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.

Vicki’s family offers many thanks to Dr. Eric Engelman, Tammi Noonan, Diane Oglesby, the staff at Medical Associates Oncology, MercyOne Dubuque Cancer Center and MercyOne Dubuque Palliative Care for the care, treatment, kindness and support given to Vicki during her final journey.