Wilbur J. "Red" Collette

NORTH SIOUX CITY -- Wilbur J. "Red" Collette, 94, of North Sioux City died Feb. 20, 2011, at his residence following a brief illness.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Rev. Craig A. Collison will officiate. Visitation will be 4:30 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Berkemier Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Mr. Collette was born Jan. 16, 1917, in Clifton, Kan., son of Joseph and Caroline "Carrie" (Reichert) Collette. He came to this area in 1939 as a young man with his family
He married Bonnie L. Clay on Aug. 29, 1942, in South Sioux City. She died Jan. 12, 2000, in Sioux City. He was a devoted husband and a loving family man.
He was a contractor by trade and also had a wide range of many other skills. He was the go-to fix-it man for family and friends. He began building homes with his dad and advanced to commercial contracting. One of his most memorable jobs was building the Sodrac Park dog track in North Sioux City.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and a former member of the South Sioux City Eagles Club. He was also a member of the Alzheimer's Association. He enjoyed dancing and taught ballroom dancing. He also packed parachutes during the war at the Sioux City Air Base.
He is survived by three daughters, Geri O'Gurian of Jefferson S.D., Brenda Lewis and her husband, Steve of Jefferson, and Debi Rollison of North Sioux City; two sons and their wives, Bill and Karen Collette of Jefferson, and Bernard and Andi Collette of Abilene, Kan.; two brothers, Cliff Collette and his wife, Joanne of North Sioux City, and Leon Collette of Sioux City; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a brother, Francis Collette; and two sisters, Geneva Strand and Betty Collette.