Elsie Robinson

Elsie Robinson passed peacefully in her sleep on February 27. 2024 at the BeeHive home.  She was 96 born on January 16, 1928 to Helen Unger and Ira Karnes at Chico Hot Springs near Emigrant, Montana.  Her sister, Rosalyn joined the family 13 months later. 

Her dad worked on ranches and the family moved from place to place.  Mom loved to ride and had a lifelong love of horses and all things western.  Western shows were her favorite form of TV entertainment.  

She graduated valevictorian from Alberton high school in 1946.  At this time small country schools really needed teachers so Mom spent the next 3 years teaching.  During this time she met Dad, LeRoy Robinson at a community dance at Nine Mile.  They were married on October 26, 1949.  They were married for 60 years until Dad passed in November of 2009.

They started married life in Garnet in a cabin Mom affectionately called the Honeymoon cabin.  Dad worked at the Nancy Hanks mine for a brief time until it closed.  They moved about some until they settled in Drummond in 1952.  They stayed there and raised  6 children.  We had a lot of happy times.  Camping and fishing were high on the list of fun things to do.  Mom moved to the Missoula Manor in the fall of 2016 to be near her sister Rosie Seitz. They had a fun two years together until Rosie passed in 2018.  

Mom was creative.  She loved the beauty of this world and tried to record it with her photographs and oil painting.  She made some beautiful clothes for her girls and in later years crocheted an afghan for all of us.  She didn't care much for cooking but was a wonderful baker.  She had a wicked sense of humor and would tell and write some funny stories.  She spent her isolation time during the pandemic writing the stories of her life.  Her family treasures them.  She enjoyed using the computer and played games  with people around the world. 

She had a strong faith that got her through the hard times and losses.  She taught Sunday School and participated in Bible studies for many years.  She loved her life at the Manor but when she could no longer care for herself she accepted the move to the BeeHive with grace. 

Her son, David passed from an auto accident in 2000 and son in law Aaron Hitchcock passed in 2021.  There were many more loved ones and friends who went on before.

Mom's greatest pleasure was in spending time with her kids.  Surviving her is Sandra Robinson, Karen (George) Mogus, Richard (Cheryl) Robinson,  Helen Hitchcock, and Floyd (Barb) Robinson.  There are 7 grandkids, 20 great grandkids and 3 great great grandkids.  Also a lot extended family and good friends.  

I want to give a special thanks to Big Sky Hospice, BeeHive Homes and granddaughters, Karey Mogus and Julie Rios for the excellent care they all gave Mom in her last months of life.  

There will be a Celebration of Life on March 23rd at 2 PM at the Clinton Community Bible Church.