John Robbins

John Marvin Robbins was born February 24, 1929 in Martel, Iowa to John and Jesse (Osborn) Robbins. During his younger years he attended rural school near Martel where John would travel to school by horseback. In 1946, he enlisted with the United States Navy and served overseas in the Philippines attaining the rank of Seaman 2 ^nd Class. After being honorably discharged in 1947, he went back to Iowa and starting working as a mechanic for a construction crew.   He heard from family near Hubbard, MN that homesteading was taking place and land was reasonable to buy, so he packed his belongings and moved to Hubbard.  It was near Hubbard that John met Darlene Adams and together they were united in marriage in 1961. John operated a small gas and service station called “North Star” for a few years before going to work for Melvin Bahr as a trucker and later Gabor Trucking of Detroit Lakes. He then purchased his own semi and ventured out on his own. For 35 years John trucked across the country before retiring in 2001. During his retirement he started a side business called “John’s Used Tires”. John was known as a “jack of all trades” and was be able to fix anything from transmissions to suspensions. He enjoyed calling Bingo for Pine Point School, going to the casino, playing yahtzee, fishing and spending time with his children and grandchildren.   He was a current member of the Otto Hendrickson Legion Post # 212 of Park Rapids, MN.

John is survived by his children; Beverly Robbins (Duane Axdahl) of Ponsford, MN, John Pete (Betty) of Ponsford, Rex (Cindy) of Ponsford, Lori (John) Raisch of LaPorte, MN and Sandy (Gary) Frye of Madison, WI. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren along with one brother; Duane (Paula) Ober of Blue Earth, MN and one sister: Lulubell (Ronald) Kruse of Boone, IA.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Darlene (2000), two brothers; Virgil “Tom” Robbins and Darrel Robbins and one sister: Juanita Bedford.