Robinson, Helen Poppe

Helen Poppe Robinson, 89, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Oelwein, died Saturday, March 26, 2011. Graveside Services: 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Ryan. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Marion.

Helen was born April 18, 1921, the daughter of Tobe B. Poppe and Alice Rieniets Poppe. She was born on the old Poppe farm northeast of Central City, Iowa, Linn County, Rural Route 3.

Helen graduated from 8th Nugents Grove School, Coggon High School and attended AIB Business School in Des Moines, Iowa. She worked seven to eight years in the office of the Coggon Creamery and some time in the Ben Franklin store in Oelwein, Iowa. Helen learned to sew, crochet, embroider, garden and do farm chores while growing up on the farm. She also took piano lessons and glee club in High School.

She was a 50 year member of the OES in Coggon and later in Marion and served as 4 star points and associate conductress in Coggon.

Helen was confirmed in the Lutheran Church at Ryan, substituted as organist and secretary for a short time in the Lutheran Church at Ryan. After moving to Oelwein, she assisted in WELCA and helped with sewing for “Do Day” at Zion Lutheran Church, until taking care of her husband after a debilitating stroke for 11 years.

She and Clark E. Robinson were married February 16, 1949, at the Lutheran Church in Ryan by the Rev. Nathaniel Mattheis. They were the parents of five children, June Robinson Evens of Coon Rapids, Minn., Carl (Julie) Robinson of Lamont and Earl Robinson of Oelwein and Susan (Geoff) Collum of Cedar Rapids and Herbert Ervin, deceased. Also, eight grandchildren, Timothy (Carrie) of Big Lake, Minn., Michelle of Minneapolis, Minn., Derek of Anamosa, Gail Neubauer and Mindy Robinson of Lamont, Brian Collum of Cedar Rapids and Kyle and Matthew McCalley, deceased and infant, Jacob Robinson, deceased. Three great-grandchildren, Brandi Jo Evens and Corbin Mathew Evens and Chanse Robinson and stepgrandchildren, Tim and Tina Collum and Chris McCalley.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clark E. Robinson who died Oct. 12, 2002; brother-in-law, Louis (Bonita) Robinson; and a son-in-law, Stephen McCalley.

Helen was always interested in reading, music, sewing, gardening, canning, crochet and family genealogy.

Please sign the online guest book for Helen at under obituaries.