Mary Kathryn Robinson

Mary Kathryn Robinson, age 86, died peacefully in her home in West Des Moines, IA, on Monday, October 20, 2025. A private family burial is planned in Dunkerton, Iowa at a later date.

Mary was born September 20, 1939 in Waterloo, Iowa to Claude and Emma (Casbon) Eldridge. She grew up on the family farm in Black Hawk County, attended country school and then graduated in 1957 from Dunkerton High School.

After graduation, Mary took a job in the billing department at Rath Packing Company in Waterloo, Iowa. It was there that she met her life’s partner, Lowell Robinson, and they were married May 24, 1959 at Mt. Hope Methodist Church in Dunkerton. The couple first set up their home in Waterloo and then relocated to Grinnell, Iowa in 1967 when Lowell started working at GMRC. In 2005 they moved to the Des Moines area to be closer to family.

Mary was dedicated to her family, extended family and friends. She never missed her children/grandchildren’s activities or a family celebration! Mary was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and active in UMW. She was a wonderful wife and mother managing the home and calendar all while keeping the cookie jar full of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Mary bowled in a women’s league and played in three different card clubs: canasta, pinochle and 500. She also enjoyed her part-time work at the Ruchotzke accounting firm.

Mary is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Lowell Robinson; her two daughters, Laura Routier and Linda (Jack) Sullivan; her grandchildren, Brad Routier, Jeff Routier and Krystina Schouten, Barbie (Nick) Wiens, and Susie Sullivan; sister Claudia Vokoun; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Bob Eldridge.

A donation to a charity of your choice is welcome in lieu of flowers.

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