Joyce R. Robbins

Joyce R. Robbins, age 90, of Alta, IA, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Accura Healthcare of Aurelia. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. with a visitation starting at 9:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church of Alta with the Pastor Denise Malvesti officiating. Burial will be at the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery of Storm Lake.

Joyce Rosalind (Fitchett) Robbins was born on March 1, 1936, during “the winter of ‘36” at the home of her aunt and uncle, Harold and Maisie Fitchett. Her father brought her mother by bobsled through snow drifts to Newell. Joyce was the youngest of 8 children born to Mary Christine (Johnsen) and Orson Spenser Fitchett, following her siblings Ivan, LeRoy, Doris, Ruth, Pearl, Jean, and Fern. When Joyce was 3, her parents bought an acreage in the northwest part of Newell, where she was raised.

Growing up, Joyce attended school in Newell and graduated from Newell High School with the Class of 1955. She grew up attending Nain Lutheran Church, where she attended Sunday school, sang in the choir, and served as church custodian during her high school years.

On January 15, 1956, Joyce married Donald Robbins at Nain Lutheran Church. A blizzard hit the area the day before, preventing many out-of-town relatives from attending. Following the ceremony, the couple traveled to Des Moines to visit Don’s sister and her husband, Pauline (who was very much pregnant) and Ralph Ford. During their trip, Pauline went into labor, so Joyce and Don spent their honeymoon in the waiting room alongside Ralph for the birth of their niece, Carol.

Donald and Joyce moved to a farm south of Alta following their honeymoon, returning to attend to the farrowing sows. Don’s parents also moved to the farm. Caring for her family was Joyce's true vocation. She dedicated her life to the farm she loved and to her family as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, raising their four sons, Dennis Dean, Scott Richard, Randy Lee, and Bruce Donald, doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joyce and Donald were married for 51 years before his passing in July 2007.

The Robbins family were active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Alta, where Joyce served her congregation in many roles: custodian, deacon, trustee, and president of the Ladies Aid. In her younger years, Joyce enjoyed catering events and earned a reputation for doing a superb job. Joyce lived by the motto, “No job is worth doing unless it’s worth doing well.” She was known for her generous heart and always stepping in to help her family whenever needed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orson and Mary Fitchett; her parents-in-law, Maurice and Ruth Robbins; her husband, Donald, in 2007; twin granddaughters, Brittney and Bethany Robbins; her brothers, Ivan (Charlotte) Fitchett and LeRoy "Buck" (Elnora) Fitchett; her sisters, Doris (Walter) Waterman, Ruth (Vernon) Arends, Pearl (John) Marlatt, Jean (Floyd) Banks and Fern (Glen) Crowley; and her sisters- and brothers-in-law, Doris (Clifton) Smith and Pauline (Ralph) Ford.

Joyce is survived by her four sons and their wives; Dennis (Missy Marple) Robbins, Scott (Anna Mae) Robbins, Randy (Nancy) Robbins, and Bruce (Sally) Robbins. She is further survived by her 17 grandchildren; her 25 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.