Robina Nora Elmquist

Robina Nora Elmquist, the daughter of Martin T. and Nora McGee Nelson, was born June 9, 1921, at her parents’ home in Shelby County west of Kimballton, Iowa and died March 8, 2012, at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Atlantic, Iowa at the age of 91 years, 1 month, and 29 days. Robina was baptized at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church in Elk Horn, Iowa. She attended rural school “Leroy #8” then helped at home and worked as a ‘hired girl” for other families. On January 26, 1939, she was united in marriage to Elvin Oscar Elmquist in Atlantic, Iowa. Three sons, Dale, Edward, and Donald were born to this union. They were employed by a farmer near Fiscus, Iowa for a short time then worked on a farm north of Atlantic for two years. They then rented farms in Cass County and southeast of Kimballton. Later they operated a farm near Sharon, Iowa, and then farmed in Cass County until they sold their farm equipment and purchased an acreage near Exira, Iowa in 1966. While farming, Robina assisted Elvin on the farm and was a homemaker raising their boys. When they moved near Exira, Robina cleaned homes then in 1968 was employed at Jung’s Bakery in Audubon for two years. She returned to her cleaning business which she operated until she was forced to retire in 1984 due to her failing health. During retirement she enjoyed her home and taking care of Elvin. They moved into the Sun Rise Apartments in Exira in 2003. Elvin died October 11, 2006. Robina lived in Exira until she moved to the Atlantic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in July of 2011. Robina enjoyed baking especially cinnamon rolls and cookies. She liked to embroidery and crochet. She looked forward to spending time with friends over coffee and cookies and enjoyed working with and growing flowers. But by far her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Robina was preceded in death by her husband Elvin O. Elmquist; her son Edward Lee Elmquist; her parents; her sisters Mardell Weighton, Darlene and Wayne Whitmore, Bonnie Jean and husband Gerald Skow, and Ila Mae and husbands Ed Vaughan and Alvin Skow; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Chris and Tilda Elmquist, Benny and Tina Elmquist, Arlo and Alice Elmquist, Elsie and Harley Andersen, Leo and Dorliss Elmquist, Otto and Edith Elmquist and Leona and Merlyn Petersen, Otto Nelson, Bernard Riley. Survivors include her sons Dale and wife Sharon Elmquist of Atlantic, Iowa and Donald and wife Julie Elmquist of Albuquerque, Mew Mexico; her daughter-in-law Lyla and husband Tom Good of Elliot, Iowa; her grandchildren Keith and wife Joanie Elmquist of Ankeny, Iowa, Denise and husband Jerry Gabaldon of Belen, New Mexico, Martin and wife Laura Elmquist of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Marsha and husband Terry Schaueble of Odeboldt, Iowa, Rhonda Elmquist of Denison, Iowa, and Brian and wife Jodie Elmquist of Stanton, Iowa; her great grandchildren Joshua Elmquist of Des Moines, Iowa, Jacob Elmquist of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Adam Elmquist of Ankeny, Brady and Maddesen Gabaldon both of Belen, Aden Cross and Anilis Elmquist both of Las Cruces, Desiree, Danielle, and Alex Schaueble all of Odeboldt, Dakota Elmquist of Red Oak, Iowa and Keaton, Jade, Paige, Trey, and Taylor all of Stanton; her sisters-in-law Mabel Riley of Otho, Iowa and Elvina Nelson of Peoria, Arizona; her brother-in-law John (Jack) Weighton of Audubon; nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends.

Cemetery:
Inurnment will be in the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery.

Service:
Graveside Celebration of Life Services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Saturday, June 16, 2012, at 10:30 A.M. at the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery northeast of Kimballton, Iowa.