Dee McCollum 03/17/2025

Donna Dee (Ghere) McCollum, age 78 of River Falls, Wis., passed away peacefully on Monday, March 17, 2025 at Our House Senior Living in River Falls.

Dee was born on August 2, 1946 in Tuscola, Ill. She was the daughter of Don and Marjorie (Shores) Ghere and grew up in Arcola, surrounded by many Ghere aunts, uncles and cousins. She graduated from Arcola High School in 1964. While there, she met and fell in love with Jerry McCollum. They married on September 11, 1965.

Dee was warm, bubbly and compassionate. She had the biggest smile and gave the best hugs. She loved reading, gardening, cheering on the Chicago Bears, Native American art and history, and doing pretty much anything with Jerry and their dogs.

She dedicated her life to educating young people. After graduating from Southern Illinois University in 1973, she taught grade school in Bourbonnais, Ill. for nearly 20 years. Her passion for teaching led her to want to guide the next generation of teachers. She earned her master’s degree and Ph.D. in education from Olivet Nazarene University and University of Illinois – Champaign. She was a professor of education at Mount Scenario College in Ladysmith, Wis. before joining the University of Wisconsin – River Falls School of Education for 12 years before retiring in 2012.

She is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 60 years, Jerry; sister Dianne (Steve) Cherry of Arcola, Ill.; sisters-in-law Gail (David) Ghere of Stillwater, Minn., Brenda (Sid) Barringer of Shelbyville, Ill., and Judith (Richard) McCollum of Eureka, Ill.; brother-in-law Doug (Robin) McCollum of Arcola, Ill.; nieces Erin (Aaron Coon) Ghere of Woodbury, Minn., Shannon (Gabe Rosen) Ghere of Madison, Wis., Kelly Hadfield of Eureka, Ill., and Kasandra (Clint) Stiner of Shelbyville, Ill.; nephews Aaron (Kelly) Barringer of Tower Hill, Ill., Dylan (Cristina) Cherry of Arcola, Ill., Chris (Alessandra Vitrella) Ghere of Minneapolis, Minn., Travis McCollum of Goodfield, Ill., Clint (Kathy) Plunk of Bruceton, Tenn., and John Plunk of Selmer, Tenn.; 20 great-nieces and nephews; and a large, loving extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother David, brothers-in-law Richard and Ronald Lynn, and nephews Matthew McCollum and Dave Plunk.

Dee’s family also wants to extend deep and heartfelt gratitude to Comfort Keepers and Our House Senior Living for their warm and compassionate care.

A memorial visitation was held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E. Division St.) in River Falls. A memorial and internment service will be held in Arcola, Ill. at a later date. Interment will be at Arcola Township Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.