Phyllis Blanche Robinette, age 90, of Mason City, IA passed away peacefully under the care of St. Croix Hospice on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at her home. Funeral arrangements are with Fullerton Funeral Home.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, with a one-hour prior visitation at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St SE. Officiating will be Chaplain Jani Dahlin from St. Croix Hospice. Following the service, Phyllis will be laid to rest at Elmwood-St Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.
Phyllis was born on October 7, 1934, in Mason City to James and Mildred “Emma” (Wilhite) O’Connor. She graduated in 1951, from Waxahachie High School in Waxahachie, TX. Her parents were missionaries so they moved around during her childhood but after graduating high school, Phyllis ended up moving back to Mason City to be near her brother. One of her first jobs was at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company and she also worked as an inspector for Coca-Cola Bottling Company. On November 30, 1955, she was united in marriage to Larold Robinette; this year they would’ve celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. To their union, three children were born: Larry James, Becky Sue and Jody Lynn.
Phyllis became a busy wife and mother caring for their children and 2 bonus children. In her younger years, Phyllis and Larold were on a bowling league together and they also enjoyed going camping in the surrounding areas. Phyllis was an outstanding host and would make sure to have coffee for invited guests but she also liked her alone time to watch her favorite television shows and movies. She loved game shows, especially The Price Is Right and Let’s Make A Deal. She liked watching westerns, crime shows and going to the movie theatre. Phyllis beautifully played the piano and organ. Her most loved hobbies later in life included playing bingo and going to the casinos. She will be remembered as the most loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Those left to cherish her memories include her husband, Larold Robinette of Mason City; children: Larry James (Pam) Robinette of Mason City, Becky Sue (Ed) Rusnak of Valparaiso, IN and Jody Lynn (Dennis) Mallen of Urbandale, IA; bonus sons, James and Jacob Lobb; grandchildren: Jeff Robinette, Brent (Alicia) Robinette, Travis Robinette, Miranda (Phil) Bohl, Ramona (Brad) Alden, Jason (Heather) Murphy, Chad (Renae) Murphy, Eddie Rusnak Jr., Heather (Richard) Berrie and Louis Duda and many great-grandchildren.
She was reunited in heaven with her father, James O’Connor; mother, Emma Barbary and step-father, Lee Barbary; brothers, Lloyd O’Connor and Rolland O’Connor and sister, Joyce O’Connor.
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