Joan Elaine Robinson

1942 - 2026

Joan Elaine Robinson died on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. She was 83 years old.

She was born on July 29, 1942, in Blackduck, Minnesota, to Della and Wallace (Wally) Richards. As a DNR forester, Wally's work took the family on the move often - from Big Falls to Pine Island, then to McGrath in 1948, and later to Pillager before Joan finally put down roots long enough to graduate from Brainerd High School in 1960.

It was during those McGrath years that life quietly laid the groundwork for Joan's future. Wally struck up a friendship with fellow forester Oakley Robinson Sr., and that bond naturally grew to include Oakley's son, Oakley Jr. - known to everyone as Sonny - and his sister Charlotte.

Joan worked as a secretary at Brainerd High School before taking a job at Scotts in Brainerd after graduation. One afternoon, Sonny came in looking for fishing tackle. Joan asked him out for coffee, and the rest, as they say, is history. The two were married on September 2, 1961, in Viking, Minnesota - a love story that started years ago, in 1948 in McGrath, MN.

Joan filled her life with the things and people she cherished most. She loved photography, crocheting, playing games, hunting for treasures at rummage sales, and tackling a good book or word search. She and Sonny shared a love of travel and the simple joy of a weekend cookout with family close by. She was also a member of the McGrath Presbyterian Ladies Aide.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Della (Rust) Richards; her brother Edward Richards; her sister Marlene (Richards) Olson; sister-in-law Charlotte Hoyhtya and her infant sister Kathy Richards.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Oakley Robinson; her daughter Tammy (Gerald) Robinson; her son Terry Robinson; her granddaughter Ashley Robinson of McGrath, MN; her brother Dan (Marcia) Richards of Ramsey, MN; her brother-in-law Maury Olson of Baudette, MN; her sister-in-law Lois Richards of International Falls, Minnesota, brother-in-law, David Hoyhtya, nephews, Todd (Pam) Hoyhtya, Randy Hoyhtya, and niece Sue Ralph All of McGrath, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Dresser-Methven Funeral Home in Mora. Visitation will be from 3 until 4 P.M. Burial will be in Big Falls, Minnesota.

Arrangements by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services, Dresser Methven Chapel, Mora, Minnesota www.methvenfuneralhome.com