BERTRAM “DUTCH” ROBBINS, 95, of Cherokee, Iowa passed away peacefully on Friday morning, April 18, 2025 at Accura Healthcare of Cherokee.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd, at 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee, Iowa. Pastor Jonathan Riggert will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee, Iowa with military rites conducted by L.A. Wescott Post #2253 of the V.F.W. and the Cherokee American Legion. Visitation with the family present will be on Tuesday, April 22nd from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com
Dutch was born in Correctionville, Iowa on November 6th, 1929 to Jessie Warneke and Ruben Robbins, he graduated in 1948 and continued to work for the Dairy in Correctionville until 1951 when he joined the Army. He was dispatched as a Sergeant First Class, and was sent to Korea where he served for 11 months being discharged in 1952.
On June 3, 1954, he married the love of his life, Norma J. Gerhts, in Correctionville, Iowa. They relocated to Laurens, Iowa, where he worked as a printer for the Laurens Sun and Norma was teaching school. After five years, they moved to Cherokee and purchased the Cherokee Stationary. He sold that business and went to work as a printer for the Sioux City Journal and Verzani Richmond Commercial Printing for the next 30 years. In addition to working in Sioux City, he also owned and operated Robbins Laundry Center for 50 years. He retired from the printing business in 1995.
Dutch was known for his unwavering dedication to helping others; Dutch dedicated countless hours to the VFW and its members, as well as the Trinity Lutheran Church and local food bank. He was a true example of service to the community and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Dutch was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 2253 where he was the Quartermaster and member of the Color Guard. He and Norma spent some of their spare time on the dance floor. You could find them ballroom dancing, square dancing, and country western dancing on any given weekend.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruben and Jessie Robbins, two half sisters, Gladys Scott and Opal Buckman, and one half-brother Emeral Sheeler.
Dutch will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Norma Robbins of Cherokee, Iowa; three children Kevin (Glenda) Robbins of Omaha, Nebraska, Kristin (Steve) Snapp of Hutchinson, Minnesota, and Keisha (Brian) Lockin of Aurelia, Iowa; seven grandchildren Justin(Allison) Robbins, Rebecca Robbins, Christopher (Audrey) Snapp, Nicole (Travis) Benson, Erica (Isaiah) Petersen, Erin (Bryce) Radke, and Shea (Jacob) Lockin; two great grandchildren, Harper Robbins and Gunner Radke.
