Barbara Lynn (Bressler) Robbins, 62, Dubuque, IA, passed peacefully, August 16, 2024.
Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:30 pm Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory, where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 pm.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Barbara will be 10:00 am Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Church of the Resurrection with Father Phil Gibbs as the Celebrant and Rev. Michael Tess as the homilist. A graveside service will follow the same afternoon at 3:00 pm at Maple Ridge Cemetery adjoining the First Lutheran Church of Jordan on Hwy 40, north of Sterling IL, followed by a gathering of friends & family in the church.
Born August 2, 1962 to Mary Jo (Bickford) and Neal Bressler in Sterling, IL. Barbara married Thomas Robbins on July 11, 1998, in Whitewater, WI.
Barbara graduated from Sterling High School in 1980 and matriculated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1988. She served as a graphic designer for a variety of employers including Panoramic Inc. in Janesville WI, Getter Press in Whitewater WI, and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Barbara’s marriage to Tom found their family relocating to various tri-state area locations from Whitewater WI to DeKalb IL to Hartford WI to Dubuque IA over a period of 25+ years.
Barbara was a consummate graphic artist, illustrator, and creative thinker. Her award-winning artwork has been featured in numerous art galleries and museums. Besides her two children, her life masterpieces were her Hearts Across America Children’s Memorial Art/Quilt Project commemorating the tragedy of 9/11 (permanently displayed at the U.S. Pentagon) as well as her 2022 published anthology entitled, “Fibromyalgia: The Invisible Illness Revealed.”
Barbara was a warrior and fighter, tenacious to the end battling various illnesses and health setbacks with grace and determination. Nothing stopped her especially when her mind was set on helping others stating, “if I could help one person in one way…then life was worth living.” Faith, country, family, nature, and the arts were her life passions.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Thomas Robbins; her sons Andrew Marnocha (fiancée Hannah Madrzak) of New Bern, NC, and Alexander Robbins (fiancée Lyric Strickland) of Dubuque, IA; her father Neal Bressler of Palm Harbor, FL; her twin sister Beth (John) Metzler of DeKalb, IL; her brother Scott Bressler of Clearwater, FL; her sister-in-law Crysty (Matt) Schultz of Dubuque, IA; nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother Mary Jo Bressler, her father-in-law, Jerome “Jerry” Robbins, her mother-in-law, Mary Kay Robbins, her brothers-in-law Jerome Jr., Charles, and William Robbins, and her grandparents.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Dubuque for their gentle care of Barbara.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Barbara’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.
