Obituary of Elva M. Robbins

Elva M. Robbins, 98 longtime resident of West Liberty, died Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at the Crestview Care Center in West Branch. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, August 19, 2011, at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ gayandciha.com. Elva Maude Rakestraw was born July 5, 1913, in Daykin, NE, the daughter of Roy and Zella (Baldwin) Rakestraw. She was united in marriage to Donald E. Robbins on October 19, 1938, in Iowa City. The couple had made their home in West Liberty for many years where Elva owned and operated Twin Gables Restaurant & Tavern for over twenty years. She was a member of the Moose Lodge in Muscatine. Elva enjoyed playing bingo, cards, especially euchre; and up until this past year, she was always willing to go to the “Boat” on a moment’s notice! Her family includes two sons, Richard of Iowa City; and Gary and his wife, Pat Robbins of West Liberty; 5 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter, and 1 great-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband, daughter, Donna Carmichael, and an infant son.