Robbin Renee Ward
WARD, TINLIN, REYNOLDS, SHAW, KESSMANN, MARCHANT
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 9/15/2020 at 12:11:52
Robbin Renee Ward, longtime resident of Woodburn, Iowa passed away in her sleep on September 3, 2020 at her daughter's home in Coralville. Having battled cancer for the last year and a half, Robbin looked forward to celebrating what would have been her 59th birthday on September 9, 2020 with her grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Woodburn, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, Robbin’s family requests that donations be directed to the family to be used for funeral expenses through the Go Fund Me page that has been set up by her children at https://gf.me/u/ywhpuw.
Robbin was born September 9, 1961 in Des Moines, Iowa to Norman and Patricia (Reynolds) Tinlin. Growing up in a tight-knit family with her five siblings, Theodore, Danillya, Michelle, Jeff and Douglas taught her the value of family at an early age. An argument between the siblings never lasted long because at the end of the day, their love for one another was greater than anything, particularly as they got older. As a young girl she enjoyed living close by extended family. Their mother Pat and father Norman were the heart and soul of their family and when they passed the family lost a part of themselves. Robbin was much like her mother but was often as stubborn as her father.
Robbin had two children, Jenifer, and Jamie before she married Dennis Ward on July 21, 1984. The couple had two more children, Jacob and Jeremiah and became a close and loving family of six. Dennis took on the role of a father to Jenifer and Jamie and loved them as if they were his own. The couple later divorced and eventually were able to become friends again in the last 10 years of life.
Robbin moved to Woodburn in 1996 and shortly after began working at Woodburn Pub. Not only was she a social butterfly, she also was an extremely hard worker. This was obvious through her years of working at Osceola Foods during the day and the pub at night, eventually owning and operating Woodburn Pub. She did that for more than 10 years, loving every second of it. Robbin was larger than life, which is what made her such a good fit for the pub. Over the years her customers became like family to her. She was well known for her fun-loving spirit as well as her get togethers she would throw inviting what seemed like the whole town. Holidays gave Robbin a reason to cater to her family and friends, which was not a small group by any means. She was known for her cooking and always made the best meals. You could expect there was plenty of butter or cream added.
She lived to see others happy and having a good time. She never would have dreamed of having to slow down for anything. But, after being diagnosed in 2018 with cancer, her body made her take her time. Her stubbornness convinced her she could keep going but her children knew whether she wanted them to or not, it was time to help her through cancer. Robbin moved in with her son, Jacob and later with her daughter Jamie, where she lived for the last months. She loved the time spent with her grandchildren, watching movies, playing games and doing puzzles, all done with love and laughter. Being a grandma to her was everything.
Woodburn, Iowa was home to her and moving away during her sickness was hard, and she was missed. She took it upon herself to make sure everyone knew that she was more than alive after hearing a rumor that she passed away. She didn’t know what to do with all her free time after moving in with her children but she found ways to always keep busy such as playing games, especially Yahtzee, watching tv and movies which she could do for hours and hours, talking on the phone with her friends and family, gardening, talking daily about life and family with her sister Dee, playing with the animals, eating candy with the grandkids and learning their favorite things to do. Many never could understand how your favorite movie could be Sharknado but leave it Robbin to enjoy that movie most. Robbin had her son-in-law, Logan make her a Facebook to stay connected with friends and family. She was a woman with an opinion and her opinion never went unsaid. She also was mischievous and loved the practical jokes she would play on others. Between her practical jokes and her shirts with the most ridiculous sayings on them, her grandkids would call her a “walking meme”. She was truly full of life and lived life to the fullest regardless of what life threw at her.
Robbin left her family with memories that either make you laugh or shake your head, often both. She is going to be missed for so many things in life by her large group of family and friends.
Survivors include her children, Jenifer Tinlin of Des Moines, IA, Jamie (Logan) Shaw of Coralville, IA, Jacob "Jake" (Samantha) Ward of Ames, IA, Jeremiah "Jey" Ward (Ashley Kessmann) of Spokane, WA; four siblings, Theodore “Ted” (Carol) Tinlin, Danillya "Dee" Marchant, Michelle Tinlin, and Douglas "Grid" Tinlin; her beloved grandchildren, Samantha, Merrissa, Christian, Orion, Riley, Aurora, Gabrielle, Nora, Arwen and Killian; one great-grandchild, Emiliano; her former spouse, Dennis Ward, and many extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents Norman and Patricia Tinlin and one brother Jeff Tinlin.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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