Cora Ann Robinson (nee Oelrich)

September 9, 1937 – August 31, 2026

Cora Robinson, age 88, of Appleton, Wisconsin was called to her heavenly home on Monday, August 31, 2026. Cora was born in Lincoln Township, Wood County, Wisconsin on September 9, 1937 to the late Alfred and Ruth (nee Ziehlsdorff) Oelrich.

Cora spent her childhood years on the family farm near Spencer, Wisconsin. She attended the public schools in Spencer and graduated from Spencer High School in 1955. She then attended Concordia College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After she received a degree in Elementary Education, Cora went on to her first teaching assignment at St. John Lutheran School in LaPorte, Indiana.

On June 25, 1960, Cora was married to William Robinson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer, Wisconsin. They began their married life together in Kansas City, Missouri, where William served a vicarage and Cora taught school. During William’s final year at Seminary in St. Louis, Cora taught at a Lutheran grade school in St. Louis, Missouri.

After William graduated from Seminary in St. Louis, they began their life together in the ministry. They went on to serve in Lutheran Churches and schools in Haven, Wisconsin and Racine, Wisconsin. While living in Milwaukee, Cora taught at Bethlehem Lutheran School, Milwaukee.

In 1972, William accepted a call to be the Pastor of St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Batavia, Wisconsin, and in 1981, they moved to Brazelton Drive, when St. Stephens formed a dual parish with Immanuel Lutheran Town Scott. Cora was active in the ladies groups, taught confirmation classes, and made beautiful banners for the Church Year. She also taught at St. John’s Lutheran School in Plymouth and St. John’s Lutheran School in Sherman Center, Wisconsin.

In 1977, Cora accepted a position at Random Lake High School in Random Lake, Wisconsin as a teacher’s aide. She eventually moved into a position as an administrative assistant to the Guidance Counselors. She enjoyed her years of service there.

After William retired from the pastoral ministry, they moved to Middlefield, Ohio, to be near their daughter, Elizabeth, and her family. They enjoyed their time living in Amish country and in Ohio. Eventually, they moved back to Wisconsin, again to follow their daughter, where they lived the remainder of their lives in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Cora spent the last two years of her life at Frontida of Kimberly. A special thank you to the caregivers and staff at Frontida for their love, kindness, and care, and to St. Croix Hospice, for making her final days peaceful.

Cora was a devoted wife to her husband William for 60 years. She enjoyed crafts, needlework, sewing, gardening, and reading. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Cora was very devoted to the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Her faith in her Savior Jesus Christ was the most important thing in her life.

Cora is survived by her two children, Paul (Jane Haase) Robinson of St. Louis, Missouri, and Elizabeth (Mark) Berg of Appleton, Wisconsin; five grandchildren, Emily, Abby, William, James, and Martha; and two great-grandchildren, Dorothy and Eva Jane; as well as nephews, nieces, and brother and sister-in-laws.

Cora was preceded in death by her husband, William, her parents, Alfred and Ruth Oelrich, her sister, Bernice Scheibe, and her brothers, Lloyd and Jerry Oelrich.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 1:30 pm, at Immanual Lutheran Church, Town of Scott ( W8497 Brazelton Drive, Random Lake, WI 53075). Visitation will begin at 12:30 pm. The Reverend Brian Krueger will be officiating. Memorial gifts may be directed to Lutheran Hour Ministries, in honor of Cora Robinson (see www.lhm.org).

Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Cora's arrangements. Additional information can be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.