Myrtle "Toots" McCollum, age 92, of Mahnomen, MN, died Thursday, May 26, 2011 at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home.

Myrtle Camille Brodsho was born August 1, 1918 in Mahnomen County to Lawrence and Olga (Thompson) Brodsho. She spent her entire life in the Mahnomen area. On November 15, 1939 Myrtle was united in marriage to Richard McCollum. They made their home in Mahnomen County where they farmed for 40 years. Myrtle's life was all about the family, the farm and working hard from sun up to sun down and raising six children during hard times without the conveniences of today's life. She was able to make all her own "late life choices" of change. Some of these choices included moving into town, giving up driving, moving to Valley View Apartments and even her final choice of moving into the Mahnomen Health Center. She never wanted to be a burden to her family.

Myrtle enjoyed the early days of the Mahnomen Historical Society as a volunteer. She also volunteered at the food shelf for several years. Toots also enjoyed her monthly Hobby Club meetings and the time spent with her lady friends. Myrtle was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bejou and an active Ladies Aid member. She was a Gold Star Mother of the VFW and a member of the women's auxiliary.

Myrtle is survived by two sons, Myron (Sylvia) McCollum, Bejou, MN, and David (Judy) McCollum, Mahnomen; three daughters: Darlene (Vern) Benson, Lakeland, FL, Doreen (Orville) Turner, Waubun, MN, and Patricia Mannie, Sartell, MN; 18 grandchildren: Shawn Benson, Shad Benson, Nathan Benson, Jonathan McCollum, Matthew McCollum, Daniel McCollum, Scott McCollum, Adam McCollum, Todd Turner, Terri Turner Mulinix, Trenton Turner, Tara Turner, David McCollum II, Joseph McCollum, Michael McCollum, Kathleen McCollum, Mason Mannie, Brandon Mannie; 27 great-grandchildren: Amanda Burton Bregler, Bradley Burton, Chelsea Benson Dye, Cheyenne Benson, Shelby Benson, Kaia Benson, Natalie Benson, Gabrielle Benson, Victoria Benson, Landon Benson, Todd Turner Jr., Travis Turner, Kevin Mulinix, Kristyn Mulinix Neuhofer, Katelyn Mulinix, Chynna Blackwood, LaVontaye Graham, Amara Graham, Zachary McCollum, Trevor McCollum, Mickey McCollum, Riley McCollum, Arran McCollum, Gabriel McCollum, Tyler McCollum, Sydney McCollum, Jonah Mannie; eight great-great-grandchildren: Ethan & Logan Bregler, Lily & Gracie Dye, Jesse & Klayton Neuhofer, Sierra & Alexis Mulinix; one brother, Kenneth (Ethel) Brodsho, Mahnomen and one sister, Esther Downing, Barnesville, MN.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; son, Wayne "Sonny"; six brothers: Jerome, Vernon, Orval, Milton, Orley and LeRoy; and four sisters: Phyllis Schraeder, Edith Bjerk, Carol Winter, and Gladys Reynolds.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bejou, MN, with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in the Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Mahnomen.