January 31, 1940 - November 6, 2025
Joyce Ann Robbins, 85, of Orangevale, CA passed away on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Blossom Vale Assisted Living facility. Joyce was born during a snowstorm in Elkhart IN to Earl and Doris (Greenberg) Robbins. She lived in Elkhart until age 3 when she went to live with her maternal grandparents in Centreville MI during World War II, while her father served in the Navy and her mother worked to help support the family. At the age of 9 she moved to Stockton CA with her parents, who hoped to find more opportunities than they had in the Midwest. She attended grade school and was confirmed in 8th grade at Trinity Lutheran in Stockton, where she became lifelong friends with Norma (Tietjen) Gesso, now of San Jose, CA. Joyce graduated with honors from Stagg High School in 1958, and then attended the University of the Pacific in Stockton, graduating in 1961 with a double major in English and French. A week after college graduation she became a Navy wife when she married Charles (Chuck) Kohler, and together they lived in various locations until they divorced in 1978, including San Diego and Monterey CA, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Naples Italy, Pollock Pines, and El Dorado, CA. She was later married to Roger (Rod) Roda from 1980-1988, and lived in Diamond Springs during that time. Later in life she also resided in Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights, and Orangevale, CA.
Joyce worked for many years in the real estate industry including as an escrow officer, real estate broker, and later in property management. In her free time she enjoyed gardening, genealogy, reading, and spending time with friends, family, and many beloved pets through the years. She loved to sing and was in church and community choirs for well over 50 years, starting as soon as she was confirmed after 8th grade. She had the "Robbins Wanderlust" that was passed down from her ancestors, and she thoroughly enjoyed travel of any kind; in her lifetime she visited all 50 states, as well as multiple European countries.
Joyce's faith also was of utmost importance to her, and she worshipped in Lutheran churches from coast to coast of the United States. She was a member of St Mark's Lutheran in Citrus Heights CA since the early 1980s, where she served in many different roles including various choir groups, altar guild, a volunteer in the school, serving in the Sunrise Pregnancy Counseling Center, and later as an active member of the Prime Timers group and the Joy of Living women's bible study group.
Joyce was predeceased in 1992 by former husband Charles Kohler; in 1996 by niece Amanda (Mandy) Robbins; in 1998 by former husband Roger (Rod) Roda; and in 2024 by brother James (Jim) Robbins. She is survived by son Andrew (Andy) Kohler of Fairbanks AK, daughter Martha Kohler of Fair Oaks CA, granddaughter Susanna (Suzy) Ewing also of Fair Oaks, and step-daughter Vivian (Viv) Roda Schultz of Dahlonega, GA. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
SERVICES
A Memorial service for Joyce will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 2 pm at St Mark's Lutheran Church, Citrus Heights, with Pastor David Waterstradt officiating. Private interment will be held at a later date at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi, CA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Mark's Lutheran Church (Citrus Heights), the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), or Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary in Sacramento.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the family of Joyce Robbins.
