Josephine R Robinson

Josephine Zachar Robinson, age 91, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota and formerly of Fargo, North Dakota, passed away on July 30th, 2014 in Fergus Falls.

Josephine, affectionately known as “Jo” and also “Phina,” was born on November 1st, 1922, in Carlinville, Illinois to Paul Zachar and Katherine Murin Zachar. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, Minnesota in 1939.

During WWII she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve and like many women of her generation she aided the war effort by working as an airplane mechanic. After the war ended, she enrolled at St. Catherine’s College in St. Paul and graduated in 1950 as a registered nurse.

Several years later while working in a hospital, she met her future husband, Robert Lee Robinson, who was a patient. The two were married in Thief River Falls on October 14th, 1956. Their union thrived for 57 years and produced two daughters, Julie Robinson Gray and Joan Robinson.

Josephine was blessed with a fine mind, a good sense of humor and a generous, spirited disposition. She was a loving, supportive wife, a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, a caring friend and an excellent companion. She possessed an abiding sense of morality and was honest and decent in all of her dealings. She prized loyalty and remained a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. She was glad to share her opinions – and she had quite a few – but always did so with wit and humility. She was an inspiration to many and will be missed by all who knew her.

Josephine is survived by her devoted husband, Robert, daughters Julie and Joan, grandchildren Nathan Gray and Haley Peck, and great-grandchildren Nadia, Brody and Harper Gray.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. with a short prayer service at 4pm, Friday, August 15, 2014 at the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.