Karen D. Robinson, 88, of Kimball, died at Kimball Health Services on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at the Cornerstone Community Church (Kimball Presbyterian Church) with Pastor Alan Foutz officiating. the service can be viewed by going to Cornerstone Community Church, Kimball, NE., Facebook page. Burial will follow in the Kimball Cemetery. Friends may stop at the funeral home on Monday from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. Friends may also visit www.cantrellfh.com to share condolences and stories of Karen with the family. Memorials may be given to either Cornerstone Community Church or the Kimball Public Schools Foundation. The services for Karen have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.
Karen Dell (Larsen) Robinson was born on April 23rd, 1935 in Kimball, Nebraska to Carl Delmar and Iola (Tracy) Larsen. As a lifelong member of Kimball, Karen graduated from Kimball County High School in 1953 as valedictorian of the class. She started dating James Robinson when they were seniors.
Karen attended Denver University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in three years with a Masters Degree in Business Administration. She returned to Kimball where she started to play the organ full-time at the Presbyterian Church (Cornerstone Community Church), having started playing when she was a sophomore in high school. Playing the organ was a very important part of Karen’s life. She dedicated almost 70 years to playing for the church. In September 1957 she married Jim. In 1958 they welcomed their son Greg, followed by their daughter Carla in 1963.
In 1973 they bought Larsens’ Jewelry Store from Delmar and Iola Larsen, continuing the legacy started in 1926 by her grandparents Olaf and Julia. Karen worked every facet of the store from the cleaning to her famous window displays. She put her heart and soul into the business, giving special attention to details for every customer through the years.
Karen was a member of many parts of the community of Kimball. She was guardian of Jobs Daughters Bethel #12, served in many positions in Truth Chapter 262 Order of Eastern Star, and was part of PEO Chapter GN. Karen helped organize many activities for Kimball from Easter Egg hunts to the first few All Class Reunions. She gave special attention to the students of Kimball Public Schools by sending clippings from the newspaper to them each week.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, and her parents, Carl (Delmar) and Iola, and grandparents Olaf and Julia.
Survivors include her son Greg (Nora) Robinson, Kimball; Carla (Dennis) Goranson, Kimball; grandchildren Stephanie Kitchens, Matthew Goranson, Katherine (Hendrik) Kriel, Stuart (Ashley Buchart) Goranson, all of Kimball; Anthony (Zoe) Robinson, Phoenix, AZ and Dr. Michael (Jamie) Robinson, Birmingham, AL; and great-grandson Everett Robinson.
