Rosemary C. (Gilgenbach) Robison

Rosemary C. Robison, 96, of Brainerd, died on Monday October 25, 2021, at Good Samaritan Society - Bethany.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd. Visitation will be for one hour prior. Interment is Wednesday, November 17th at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Breckenridge, MN.

Rosie was born June 4, 1925 in Wahpeton, ND, the daughter of Joseph and Rose (Karst) Gilgenbach. She grew up the middle child with 10 siblings and attended St. John’s School in Wahpeton. In 1947 she married Clarence “Robbie” Robison. They moved from Breckenridge, MN to Marshall, MN before making North Long Lake their home in 1951. Through the years, Rosie hosted many large family gatherings at the lake, even after Robbie died in 1991.

Rosie was an active member of St. Francis Catholic Church, working with both St. Barbara and St. Lucy’s Guilds. She was also a very active member of the American Legion Post 255 and VFW Post 1647 Auxiliary, serving as President several years. She was a founding member of the VFW Auxiliary Color Guard and eagerly participated in their activities in the community. She coordinated the Poppy sales fundraiser for numerous years, helped to donate flags and honor Veterans and Flag Day in the community.

Rosie worked many years at the garment factory in Brainerd before going to work as a cook at Riverside Elementary School. She served the students meals for 13 years, retiring in 1995. After two years of retirement, she missed the kids and returned to Riverside School as a Foster Grandparent. In 2006, she moved from the lake to Brainerd to shorten her drive to the school. She was affectionately known as Grandma Rose and greeted children (and teachers) with an energetic “Good Morning Sunshine!” each day. She founded the Veterans Day wall at the school (which continues today) and was honored through the years with volunteer awards and articles in the Brainerd Dispatch. She volunteered at the school for 20 years until finally retiring again in 2017 at the age of 91.

In 2018 she moved to Good Samaritan Society - Bethany and found a new home in which to continue spreading her light and love until her death. Throughout her life, Rosie’s loves were God, children, family, veterans, the flag, flowers, and birds.

Rosie will be missed by her brother, Matthew Gilgenbach of Andover, MN; sister, Betty Gust of Minnetonka, MN and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Robison; brothers, John, Elmer and Herman; and six sisters, Lenore Baumer, Marie Klubberud, Lucille Althoff, JoAnn Berg, Marcella Mohs and Bernice (Bunny) Rieber.

Memorials are preferred to the family. They will be used to create artful remembrances of Rose at Riverside School that serve to bring sunshine to each school day for the children.

Arrangements have been completed by Nelson-Doran Funeral Home, Brainerd.

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