Joseph
Erwin Robins was born on July 10, 1931 in Crow
Wing County, Minnesota to Curtis and Myrtle
(Dingman) Robins. He met the love of his life,
Coleen Marette Estabrooks, in Sugar Bush, north
of Bemidji. They were married on December 10,
1949 in Bemidji. Their dedicated ministry
together began even before they were married,
and continued for over 60 years, as they
shepherded churches in Minnesota, Montana, Idaho
and Washington. The main thrust of Joseph’s
ministry was evangelism – pointing people to the
Hope of the world, Jesus Christ! “Papa Jo,” as many called him, wore many hats in life. Among these were: husband, father, preacher, grampa, great grampa, brother, son, uncle, and friend. (he had no “in laws” – everyone was related “in-love"). He also enjoyed other passions: hunting, fishing, horseback and motorcycle riding, logging, building, traveling, missionary work, his tours to Israel, and heading up into the High Country to gather firewood.
Pastor Jo had a special gift – a calming effect on people. He motivated people to their highest potential, without pressure or manipulation. He was a wise, wonderful man of God and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Joseph was met by many precious loved ones, including his beloved “Patty,” his loving parents and nine brothers and sisters and two grand daughters, Ruth Ann and Honey Joy, when he entered Heaven’s gates on March 17, 2016, as he peacefully passed from this life’s shadows into the eternal Light of eternity. Now he is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Whom he dedicated his entire life and ministry to.
Joseph is survived by his three children, Steven (Linda), Christine (Daniel) and Rebecca (Thad), by sisters in law, Waneita, Ecco, Val, Shirley and Florence - his grand children, Jeffry (Elaina), Joseph, Adam (Amber), Jarred (Rachael), Christa (Brian), and Melissa, and his great grand children, Briana, Tara, Kaleb, Coleen, Arionna, Arabella, Tirzah, Curtis, Jenea and Amelia.
A memorial service is to be held at Mt. Hall Community Church on Saturday, April 16, at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is invited to come and celebrate the life of this extraordinary man. Memorials may be sent to the Gideons International.
Papa’s deepest wish was to complete his work here so he could go “Home!” Well, he gotter done, and now he and Mama are there waiting for us to do the same.