Elizabeth Robinson

Aug. 26, 1926 — Jan. 10, 2025
Elizabeth Merle Robinson, lovingly known as “Betty,” passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at the age of 98, at the Longhouse Nursing Home in Spencer.
Funeral services will take place Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Community Center in Marathon. Burial will be in the Poland Township Cemetery in Marathon. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the Community Center.
Betty was born on Aug. 26, 1926, in West Concord, Minnesota, the first child of Avery and Merle (Albaugh) Carpenter. Betty’s childhood was shaped by resilience and hard work as her family soon moved to northwest Iowa, where they secured and cultivated several farms. Betty experienced record snowstorms (e.g., 1936), the Great Depression — known to her mother as the “Dirty Thirties,” and the trials of World War II, all while the family navigated the challenges of farming. Betty was her father's helper on the farm, often driving a tractor and riding a horse to school after completing morning chores. She shared these years with six kindhearted siblings that accompanied her into her young adult life.
An excellent student, Betty took several college classes in Mankato, Minnesota, before choosing a family life. At nearly 21 years of age, she married her beloved husband, Kenneth (Kenny) and together they established a home in Marathon where they raised nine children. Betty was known for her large family and many talents. Her maiden name, Carpenter, proved fitting as she (like her parents) created and built a variety of things. She worked on home additions and helped grow flower gardens that included rows of Canna lilies that people stopped to admire. She also crafted elaborate outdoor wooden Christmas displays, among many other artistic pursuits.
In addition to being a devoted mother, Betty’s talents extended into the community. She led Girl Scout and Cub Scout groups, and organized Marathon Park camp programs that welcomed children from nearby towns. She also painted murals in a school gym with animal and circus characters. These hand-painted murals remained a source of joy for students long after her work was complete. Betty also taught classes on crafting porcelain figurines and dolls, and some of her Snowbaby figurines were sold to tourists in Alaska.
Despite the loss of her husband when she was just 52, with three children still at home, Betty's strength carried her through. Six years later, she moved to Everly and eventually to Spencer. She enjoyed time with her growing number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also cherished adventures with her siblings and embraced new opportunities to travel that were offered by her children who took her to places like Alaska and Europe — places she had never dreamed of visiting. They wanted to reciprocate all the care that she had given them.
Betty’s selflessness, generosity and gratitude defined her life. She offered what she could in small gifts and a helping hand, and she placed others’ well-being above her own. A pillar of strength and source of kindness, Betty inspired all who crossed her path with her daily practice of gratitude, both in words and actions. Betty will forever be remembered as someone who turned her love of family, service and talents into a life that uplifted those around her.
Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenny; her parents; infant daughter, Beth; her daughter, Barbara Zevenbergen, and son, Terry; siblings, Jean Stone, Raymond Carpenter and Paul Carpenter; and brothers-in-law, Gaylord Lewis, Lee Lindsey, Allen Shaw and Keith Stone.
Left to cherish her memory are daughters, Bonnie (Andrew Hoyt), Becky and Sarah Robinson (Shannon Threlkeld); sons, Bob, Larry, Todd and Chad; sisters, Cheryl Shaw, Marion Lewis and Glenda Carpenter; son-in-law, Jerry Zevenbergen; daughter-in-law, Beverly Robinson; grandchildren, Tony Putnam (Diane), Tracey Bailey (Dan), Mark Zevenbergen, Jason Zevenbergen, Jill (John McGrane), Rachel Hasenclever (Nick), Chris Laidig (Krista), Ken Laidig (Anne), Ross, Bobby (Elizabeth), Isabelle Robinson and Mallory Robinson; sister in-law, Phyllis Carpenter; 23 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of Betty’s life will honor the enduring legacy of her love and kindness. She will be deeply missed but forever cherished in the hearts of those she touched.
The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.