Friday, January 24, 2025
Carol M. Collard, 77, Marinette, passed away Friday, September 27, 2024 at Aurora Medical Center-Bay Area. She was born April 12, 1947 to John and Bertha Ojanpera in Inver Grove Heights, MN where she spent her early life, graduating from high school in 1965. She later earned a bachelor's degree in 1969 from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Carol and Gary married on August 21, 1971 at Inver Grove Heights, MN.
Carol began a 32/year career as a speech therapist in 1969 at the School District of Marinette, retiring in 2002. She was an avid reader and loved book exchanges with neighbors and friends. She and Gary also enjoyed camping.
She is survived by her husband, Gary Collard as well as her brother, Dennis (Liz) Ojanpera and their daughter Jane; nephew, Kurt, son of her brother Calvin (Diane) and Gary's sister, Kathy; aunt Mary Herman and cousin Karen Lindsay.
Carol will be deeply missed by many special friends including Mary Bohm, Karen Dill, Dawn Mastejko, Dave and Judy Hegg, Tari and Pat Menard, Keith and Ellen Jung, Mike and Donna Thomas, Ed and Julie Beyer, Terry and Marge Heckel and many others not named here as well as other neighborhood and camping friends. Her special nieces include Jodi Kerscher, Sarah Keller, Melissa Huber, Lynn Hofer, Heidi Horton, Heather Dart and Marissa Axtel.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Calvin and Gary's parents.
The family would like to thank Dr. Steph and the Cancer Care Unit for their unwavering support.
Private services are being planned for a later date.
Hansen-Onion-Martell funeral home is assisting the family.
