Edith Adele Robison (1890-1971)

ROBISON, LONGNECKER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:14

From Nevada Journal April 16, 1971 (page 1)

Edith Robison dies at age 81, services Mon.

Mrs. Edith Adele Robison, 81, Maxwell, died Friday morning about 6:45 at the Story County Hospital.

Ill for some time, she had been hospitalized for the past six weeks and spent some time at the Oak Park Manor.

She was daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Roland Robison and was born March 30, 1890 in Story County. She was married Roscoe Longnecker. No children were born to the marriage, which was later dissolved.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Clyde. There are no survivors.

She was a former member of the Elwell Church but had been attending the Maxwell Presbyterian Church.

Funeral services will be Monday at 1:30 p.m. in the Maxwell Presbyterian Church with the Rev. DeWitt Stauffer and Rev. E. R. Walters officiating. Burial will be in the Iowa Center Cemetery.

The Cooper Funeral Home, Maxwell, will be in charge.

From Nevada Journal April 21, 1971 (page 1)

Headline on front page:
$400,000 bequest to County Hospital

A Maxwell woman, who lived frugally and expressed concern that people would think she acted well-to-do, has left approximately $400,000 of what may be a half-million estate to the Story County Hospital for the erection of an extended care unit.

The will of Edith Robison read this morning in the office of her attorney John Hattery, named Charles J. Walker and Lew Hansen as her executors and made a number of bequests besides the main gift to the hospital. Walker farmed her land for 30 years. Hansen conducted two sales for her and her friend.

The will, dated July 14, 1970, first states that she has not direct descendants "...and am disposing of the property that my parents and I have accumulated in a manner which I believe will be in conformity with the wished of my parents and will provide a very worthwhile service to the people of Story County for years to come.

Recipients

Bequests included: Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Tomlinson of Maxwell, $500; Burt Lewis, Ontario, Oregon $500; Laura Dobson $250; Story County Boys 4-H $500; Story County Girls 4-H $500; Mustard Seed Inc., Glendale, Calif. $1,000; Christian Herald Magazine $1,000; American Bible Society $1000; Westmar College $5,000 for student studying for the ministry.

Mrs. Robison then directed that the executors convert the rest of the estate into cash, with the exception of some household items, and "All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, after the payment of costs, claims and bequests... I will unto the Board of Trustees of the Story County Hospital in Nevada, Iowa for an additional facility for extended care in conjunction with the present hospital..."

The Estate

The estate largely of 640 acres of good Iowa land, worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $384,000, plus cash and other asset that will probably make a net worth of half a million dollars.

Don McHose, chairman of the Hospital Board, paused for several long moments after being informed of the gift. "Well-- that's quite a chunk of money," said the surprised McHose. "It will cause us to engage in some long-distance planning but I'm sure that the board will accept the gift with open arms and attempt to utilize to the best advantage."

Hospital Administrator Verl Crouse told The Journal that he was aware the hospital "was mentioned" in the Robison will, "but never dreamed it was for that sort of amount."

The Hospital Board meets Wednesday night and the bequest will be, even if not on the agenda, one of the subjects of discussion.

Mrs. Robison set down explicity instructions for the facility, stating that each room shall have its own bath, that it present a warm and friendly atmosphere, and that a chapel with a new organ and seating 20 people shall be included. She also stipulates that a communications system be provided so services may be heard in other rooms.

Mrs. Robison asked that the chapel be dedicated to her parents, E. Roland and Mattie Whitaker Robison and that the chapel have a stained glass window or lighted picture of the Good Shepherd with the following verse: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am they God; I will strengthen thee; Yea I will help thee; Yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah: 42:10." She asked for a day room or lounging area and a dining room in the basement.

Long Time

Her attorney, Hattery, said that she had the greatest confidence in the hospital board to erect and operate a very fine extended care unit. Hattery said the bequest was something she had been thinking about for a long time, a place where women like herself alone and perhaps ill, could come.

Edith Robison had few friends and lived a guarded life that appeared a dour existence to many. Hattery explained that: "She was a woman doing business in a man's world." She had few local charities but Hattery said she had given liberally for years to causes away from home and was fearful that local display of money would be in bad taste.