Kathleen J. Hetland

Kathleen J. (Collins) Hetland passed away peacefully with family by her side on Friday, July 11, 2025, at her home in AZ.

Kathleen June Collins was the second daughter born to Mike and Marie (Brouns) Collins. She arrived on a hot August 9, 1930, in rural Osakis, MN and grew up on the family farm in Belle River Township, Douglas Co. While her older sister, Vivian was happier indoors, Kathleen loved to be outside, helping around the farm while caring for her two younger brothers, David and Gary. She started school at only four years of age and graduated from Osakis High School with the Class of 1947, while just sixteen years old. After high school, Kathleen worked as a switchboard operator for the local telephone company. Later, she was hired as a dental assistant for Dr. Jacobson in Osakis. A handsome suitor danced his way into her heart, and on October 6, 1952, she married Darwin Hetland at the Catholic Church parsonage in Osakis, MN. Together, they began farming north of Osakis with much determination and hard work. It was here that Kathleen not only raised four children and managed the household, but also worked with the animals, helped with the field work, and still found time to fill her pantry with produce from her fruit and vegetable garden. She especially enjoyed growing strawberries and raspberries. Gallons of them would pass through her kitchen each year, ending up on big bowls of ice cream to the delight of her family.

Kathleen learned to be an excellent seamstress from her mother and sewed on a variety of machines. She knew how to make or mend every type of clothing - from suit jackets and hunting gear to fancy evening gowns and bridal wear.

After weathering many family injuries, accidents, bad crops and market crashes, Kathleen and Darwin excitedly embarked on a new career in 1985 by opening and operating the Eldred Realty Office in Osakis. This was a very happy time for Kathleen as she was a natural saleswoman. She loved showing homes and lake properties, running the office and meeting new people, all while being dressed to the nines. After 27 years in real estate, they sold the business to their son, Terry and retired. Kathleen stayed busy managing her rental properties, which was another endeavor she enjoyed despite the many hours of upkeep each required. It seemed easy to her after the many years of working a farm. She owned and maintained her rental units even into her upper eighties. Few could wield a paint brush with as much efficiency and flair.

Traveling was another highlight when the Hetlands could finally take some deserved vacations. They visited Hawaii, Alaska, and many other states. After a few visits to their daughter and relatives in Apache Junction, they fell in love with the people and lifestyles of Arizona. They bought a place at Roadhaven Resort in Apache Junction and wintered there for many years. Many friendships were made, and they happily hosted many visiting family members. It was here that Kathleen had time to develop her artistic talents. She excelled in making dichroic glass jewelry and created beautiful lead-glass artwork. She even sold her jewelry at area craft shows. Kathleen also loved playing cards and going out with the Red Hat ladies. Summers back in Osakis found her trying new hobbies like league golfing at the Osakis Country Club and participating at the activities at the Senior Center. She loved her red, ranch-style farm home, which she beautifully decorated with roses, lilies, and the prettiest begonias.

Kathleen was an exceptional caregiver. When her husband, Darwin became ill with cancer, Kathleen was his best advocate, as she had been for her parents, mother-in-law and other relatives. She dedicated herself to learning all she could about nutrition, vitamins and natural medicines, often sending her children and grandchildren home with carefully chosen items from her well known ‘medicine cabinet’ in the kitchen – other people might have called it the dishwasher!

One of Kathleen’s lifelong passions was the annual deer-hunting season. She loved to hunt and continued to do so into her nineties! She had many trophy bucks, (and also the annual Bambi that wandered into her sights.) She always fed the entire hunting crew and never blinked when the clock went off at 4 am. Everyone was welcome around her large basement ping-pong-turned banquet table. After supper she worked additional hours doing deer processing and food prepping (especially her coveted caramel rolls) for the next day. Unselfishly, Kathleen loved every minute of this time with her family.

Kathleen was a member of both St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Belle River and later the Immaculate Conception Church in Osakis. She belonged to both women’s groups and was also a member of the Osakis Christian Mothers.

Kathleen’s memory will live in the hearts of her four children, Cheryree (Kim) Eldred of Louisburg, KS, Terry (Jeanne) Hetland, Dana (Ginger) Hetland, all of Osakis, and Lori Hetland of Apache Junction, AZ; 15 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; a brother and two sisters-in-law, Gary and Judy Collins of Alexandria and Beverly Collins of Osakis; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Mass of Resurrection will take place on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 10 am at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Belle River, MN with Fr. David Grundman officiating.

Interment will be at the St. Nicholas Cemetery next to her husband, Darwin who passed away in 2006; she is also preceded in death by her grandson, Darren Hetland; her sister and brother-in-law, Vivian and Frank Murphy and her brother, David Collins. 

Blessed be the memory of this truly remarkable woman.

Arrangements handled by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home, Osakis, MN.