Debra Rene’ Robbins, 68, of Belmond, IA, died unexpectedly, September 3, 2022, at Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames, IA.
A public Celebration of Life and time of Remembrance of the lives of both Rene’ and her daughter Kristina Robbins, who passed away in June 2021, at the age of 38, will be held October 8, 2022, at the Goodell Community Center, Goodell, IA, from 1:30-4:30 PM, with light refreshments throughout the afternoon. A short public program will take place at 4:30 PM in memory of both Rene’ and Kristina. Both Rene’ and Kristina will be interred at the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Belmond, IA.
Debra Rene’ Bryant was born July 8, 1954, in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Edward and Carrie Bryant. In the earlier years of her life, she and her family had lived in numerous places including England and Louisiana.
Following her school years Rene’ eventually met up with her soulmate and life partner, Kenneth Robbins of Goodell, IA. The two were united in marriage at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Belmond, IA, on June 1, 1973. Their union was blessed with four children including: Anthony, Matthew, Kristina, and Natalie.
Rene’ was a full-time homemaker, wife, mother and grandma. She had also been employed for periods of time as a health aide at the Belmond Medical Center and in Food Service at the Belmond-Klemme Community Schools for many years. She truly enjoyed helping people at the hospital and being around the young people at the schools.
Rene’ very much looked forward to supporting her children and grandkids in all their activities and ambitions. She relished each and every chance to be with family and she and Ken appreciated the chance to help raise Kristina’s son Trevor. The family recalls a few vacations to Niagra Falls, Valley Fair, Worlds of Fun and taking many trips to Louisiana over the Christmas holidays to visit Rene’s foster mom.
Rene’ was a very creative lady who did wonderful sewing and tailoring of clothing, as well as making one of a kind handcrafted crocheted blankets of each grandchild. Her family reflects fondly on her excellent culinary skills as she could make almost anything in the kitchen. She enjoyed making birthday cakes for family and friends and loved times spent relaxing in her garden. She was an avid reader and had read hundreds of books and stories from her Kindle over the years. Favorite reads included the older Star Trek books, nearly anything Sci-Fi, and was very fond of Stephen King Novels. Her Star Trek love followed through in her times watching TV where her favorite shows were the Trek Classics, the “V” Science Fiction series, and the Food Network. She loved to maintain a meticulous home for her family. She was also a solid foundation in support of Ken’s decades involved in officiating and coaching Iowa High School Athletics. She also enjoyed many years of going to the family Get-A-Way on the Mississippi River and at the Three Fingers Campground west of Forest City.
For many years Rene’ had valiantly fought health issues related to Polycystic Kidney Disease and for the past three years on dialysis. She was at a Mayo Clinic Annual Donor List appointment and fractured her hip. At the time of her unexpected passing, she was rehabbing at Mary Greeley.
Her memory will be carried forward in the lives of her husband and life partner of 49 years Ken Robbins, 1111 Windsor Place, Belmond, IA 50421; children: Anthony Robbins, Belmond, IA, Matthew (Kellie) Robbins and their children Macie, Khloe, and Stella, of Polk City, IA, and Natalie (Adam) Petersen and their children Charlotte, of Webster City, IA; Kristina’s fiancé’ Josh Stadtlander and grandson Trevor Henry of Belmond, IA; along with many in laws on Ken’s side and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and step-parents, and her daughter Kristina in June 2021.
Andrews Funeral Homes, Belmond, IA. www.
