Jack Robinson

Jack M Robinson, 93, of Norfolk, Nebraska and formerly of Oshkosh, passed away Sunday morning, May 18, 2014 at the Norfolk Veteran's Home in Norfolk.

****A grave side memorial service with military honors for Jack Robinson will be held at the Oshkosh Cemetery at 4 pm on Friday June 6, 2014. Immediately following the service Jack’s family and friends invite you to join them at Jack’s Shop to celebrate his life and share food, drink, and memories.****

Holechek Funeral Home in Oshkosh is serving the Robinson family.

Memorials in Jack’s name are suggested to the Garden County Foundation, the Western Nebraska VOA, or to the Antelope Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever.

Jack McKinley Robinson was born February 13, 1921 to William McKinley and Elsie Mae (Winter) Robinson on the farm a mile north of Oshkosh. He grew up there farming, milking cows, hunting and tinkering with engines. He graduated from Garden County High School. He married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn Ridenour, February 28, 1944 just before being deployed overseas. Jack was in the Army, and served in the European Theater, including the Battle of the Bulge during the final year of World War II. He completed his military service during the subsequent occupation of Germany.

After returning home he and Evelyn moved into the farmhouse and he continued to do some farming and raising cattle with his father and brother. He also started working at Brune Chevrolet as a mechanic. In 1954 Jack and his brother Bud went out on their own and started Robinson Brothers Service in Oshkosh. He continued to run the business keeping the farmers and townsfolk of our county up and running until his retirement. Jack and Evelyn had one daughter, Mary Kay.

After Evelyn’s death in 1981, Jack and Emogene Workman were blessed with many years of happy companionship taking care of each other, traveling together and raising their amazing garden and flowers. Emogene’s children, Dale, Tom, Marjorie, and Russell were Jack’s family as well. Marjorie and Russell did so much to care for Jack during his last years in Oshkosh. Beginning in the fall of 2009 Jack made his home at the Norfolk Veteran’s Home where he continued to smile and joke with his nurses and fellow residents.

Jack loved the outdoors and spent his free time hunting, fishing, gathering arrowheads, gardening and caring for the farmstead where he was born. He was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather. He also cherished spending time with his many dear friends who continued to support and comfort him as his mind failed later in life.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn, his parents Bill and Mae, and his brother Robert “Bud”. He is survived by his daughter Mary Kay, granddaughter Ellen (Duane) Hunt, of Indianapolis, IN, his great grandchildren Samuel and Anna Hunt, and a host of extended family and friends.