Obituary of Jack Robison

John Willis (Jack) Robison, born October 30, 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota, was a twin and the  sixth of the twelve children of Thomas and Mabel  (Gould) Robison. He passed on September 2,  2020.

When Jack was young, Tom and Mabel moved their  family to Rice Lake Township where Jack grew up, had  fun with his siblings and  attended Rice Lake Elementary School, Washington  Junior, Central High School and Salter Vocational  School.

Jack began working for DMIR Railroad of Proctor,  Minnesota in 1953.  June 30, 1954, he and a friend cleaned after a work day and headed downtown to Coney Island . That day, Irma Kadin and friends also were there and  after  polite conversations between two adjoining booths, dates were made to show off  work places, first of all the DMIRR Roundhouse in Proctor! The two shyest  members of the group soon became a couple; Jack and Irma. They group dated  over a year and married August 06, 1955 at St. Matthews American Lutheran Church, Duluth, MN. They spent sixty-six years together.

Jack and Irma bought their first home in 1956, however, Jack was drafted into  the US Army, March 19, 1957. With a pregnant wife who was unable to continue  working, they sold their home and Irma moved to Alexandria, VA to be with Jack  who was assigned to Ft. Belvoir, VA. The first of six children was born here.

Jack was discharged in 1959; his DMIR job was no longer available. He worked  in construction, became an excellent Cement Mason working locally and throughout  the Midwest on missile silos, highways, etc. From 1969 to 1974, he had his own  small company providing well for his family until a health insurance rider forced him  to seek other employment and he became a motor pool employee for St. Louis  County, retiring in 1999. These were great years for him, he always had fond  memories of those days. Part time work for Christianson Net and Jay Cooke State  Park followed.

During the family life years, Jack bought a small farm, raised chickens, farm  animals, took care of a large garden and most of all, taught his children about the good things in life- especially an appreciation for what we had as a family. We went on  short road trips, a few long vacations and lots of camping and church group camping.

He was very active in Arnold Lutheran Church life, leading the Church Council for  seven years; he taught Sunday School and served wherever help was needed; served  School Dist. 709 PTA as State Bus Safety Representative; was a Scout leader and volunteer and as a foster parent, a Foster Parent Advisory Board member.

Jack and Irma were foster parents over 37 years caring for and loving over 400  children. He is still Dad to many and enjoyed those years.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Thomas, Patrick, Donald  and James, niece Pamela (Robison) Fuentes, grandson Alex Klang, brothers in law Loren Anderson,  Elvin, Kermit and Jay Kadin and Dale Felknor.

He is survived by his wife Irma, sons Timothy, Jeffery (Lonna), David and Nathan  Robison, daughters, Lori, Lisa, Jennifer (Glen) Littler, Dori Roerig and Melissa  Fritze., brothers Gerald, Joseph, Richard and Robert, sisters Beverly LeMay, Nancy  Robison, and Kathleen LaFave; Grandchildren and great grandchildren Leah(Jason)  Matvey, their children Olive, Jacob and Viola,; Joel (Jen) Robison, their daughter  Lilly; Paul Robison; Thomas (Tanya) Robison, their son Caleg Workman; Sarah  (Damien) Rennells, their children Bella, James and Fiona; Christie Robison, her  children Trinity and Tristen Stricklan; Korinne, AJ and Travis and their thirteen  children and grandchildren,; Daniel (Katie) Robison-Dominguez, and daughter  Alexis; Emily (Ryan) Anderson, their sons Odin, Thorin and Lucien; Rachel Klang,  her daughter Faith; Jonathan Erickson; Dustin (Kaytlin) Stelman their children  Alllison and Roman,; Andrew (Maddie) Littler their sons Harrison and Oliver;  Joseph, Nicholas and Hannah Littler and Jayson and Kadin Robison. Also Jessika  Robison, her three sons, Challan Roerig. Justyce Robison, her daughter; Rayne  Robison, her daughters; Dane Wilson, FayeJoy and Autumn. There are also many  nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A heartfelt thanks to our Pastor Laura Berdahl and Family of God Lutheran Church prayers, the Essentia Health Hospice team,  Solvay Hospice House. and Waterview Shores, Two Harbors, MN.  We are  grateful.  A private family Funeral Service was held and a Celebration of Life at Family of  God Lutheran Church will be held post – Covid 19.