On Friday, July 28, 2023, Patricia Jo Robbins, aged 70, of Wessington Springs, SD, passed away at her home with family at her side after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
Patricia Jo Robbins, affectionately known by many as Pat, Patty, and “little bitty chicken egg,” was born in Wessington Springs at the old Memorial Hospital on May 29th, 1953, to Keith and Marilyn Jo (nee Easton) Robbins. She was joined by two sisters, Kay Reindl and Nyla Kappel. The family lived in Media, Cherry, and Anina Townships, and she attended Happy Hill School for seven years. As a young girl, Pat participated in the Anina Bell’s 4-H Club for eight years. She graduated from Wessington Springs High School in the Class of 1971. She attended South Dakota State University and graduated from there in 1975 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She remained a life-long fan of the Lady Jackrabbits basketball team.
She moved to Denver, Colorado in the fall of 1975 to begin a 38-year career as a Registered Nurse. Over her time of selfless service to the ill, she brought comfort and care to thousands of patients and their families at the University of Colorado Medical Center, Swedish Medical Center, Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital, The Medical Center of Aurora, CO, and at many other locations during her time as a traveling nurse. By the time of her well-deserved retirement in 2013, she had earned multiple advanced certifications, numerous nursing awards, and became a cardiac rehabilitation specialist. She was beloved by colleagues and known for her grace and calmness during calamity.
She became stepmother to a 2-year old son, Mitchell Kwame Williams in 1977, and gave birth to a daughter, Bett Jenaubu Williams in 1983 in Aurora, CO. She taught her children kindness, compassion, and forgiveness like no one else ever could have.
In 2015, the call of the country-life and smalltown peace beckoned, and she returned home to South Dakota to be closer to her parents, sisters, and other family and friends. True to her compassionate and animal-loving nature, she rescued a tiny kitten mewing at her doorstep during a snow storm. Her cat was a constant companion and great source of comfort and joy, even in her final hours.
Pat was preceded in death by grandparents Elmer and Evelyn Easton, and Frank and Roxine Robbins; her father, Keith Robbins; her spouse Woodrow Williams; her uncles Levi and Harold Robbins and Larry Easton, and her aunt Mary Setterstrom (nee Robbins).
She is survived by her mother, Marilyn Jo Robbins (nee Easton), sisters Kay (Darwin) Reindl, and Nyla (Carl) Kappel; her stepson Mitchell Kwame (Joanna) Williams and their two children Kaya and Ari; her daughter Bett (Malek Benmoussa) Williams; five cousins; seven nieces and nephews; many greatnieces and nephews; and her beloved cat Babe.
A memorial service for family only is being planned.
