Obituary for Marie McCollam

Mildred Marie McCollam of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died October 19, 2014, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital at the age of 72 years.

Mildred Marie McCollam was born on August 1, 1942, in Winner, South Dakota, to Aaron Charles and Rose (Tideman) Schlem. She grew up in Carter, South Dakota, attending Carter Public Schools before graduating from Winner High School in 1960. She furthered her education by attending the University of Springfield where she received her teaching certification. She married Lyle Andrew McCollam on March 20, 1962, in Pierre, South Dakota, and they settled near Witten, South Dakota, where she began her teaching career in rural schools. In 1970 they returned to her family’s farm and she continued teaching. In 1984 they moved to a farm west of Nardin and she began working as the activities director at Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home in Blackwell. Her husband preceded her in death on September 3, 2007, and she continued living in Kay County. She was a member of the Nardin United Methodist Church. She participated in the Relay for Life Walk in Tonkawa and was an avid Oklahoma State Cowboys fan collecting all types of Cowboy memorabilia. She also enjoyed scrapbooking, animals and being around people. She spent many years traveling on missions trips to various countries with her church.

She is survived by a daughter, Tracey Douville and husband Daigre of Chamberlain, South Dakota; a son, Kelly McCollam and girlfriend Paula of Fort Pierre, South Dakota; three brothers, Roger Schlem and wife Rose of Black Hawk, South Dakota, Charles Schlem and wife Liz of Lakewood, California, and Jon Schlem and wife Connie of Sunray, Texas; seven grandchildren, Brant Douville, Dana Douville and Talyn Douville all of Chamberlain, South Dakota, Kody McCollam and wife Kate of Mobridge, South Dakota, and Danielle McCollam, Skyler McCollam and Caelan McCollam of Mobridge, South Dakota; two great grandchildren, Journey and Jackson Richardson of Chamberlain, South Dakota; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Sharon Schlem; and Fergie, her pet Jack Russell.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 23rd in the Nardin United Methodist Church with Rev. Dave Jenkins and Rev. Robert Foos officiating. Burial will take place in Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Casketbearers will be Brant Douville, Dana Douville, Talyn Douville, Alan Butzback, Wade Butzback and Jeff Butzback.

A memorial has been established in her honor with the Kay County Relay for Life in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.