Carol Robotham Obituary

Carol Robotham

May 24, 1923 - July 21, 2025

Carol Robotham, longtime resident of Marquette, died July 21, 2025, at the age of 102.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 26 th at the Aurora United Methodist Church. Rev. Michelle Reed will officiate. Interment will be in the Richland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 - 7 P.M. Friday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary. Memorials may be made to the Aurora United Methodist Church. Condolences may be sent to the family through the mortuary website at www.higbymortuary.com

The service will be livestreamed on the church's website. Please go to www.umcaurora.org, scroll down and click on livestream.

OBITUARY: CAROL ROBOTHAM

Carol Grace Petsch was born May 24, 1923, in Milford, Nebraska. Her parents, Everett C Petsch and Alma Mauel Petsch, lived on a farm near Pleasant Dale, NE. She attended District 77, Vance School and graduated from Milford High School in 1940. After high school, she taught at Highland School in Seward County and White Chapel in Lancaster County.

In September 1944, she enlisted in the Army Air Force, completing basic training in Des Moines, Iowa. Her assignments were in Personnel Distribution Command Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey and Broman Field, Louisville, Kentucky. Carol was awarded the Good Conduct, American Theater and Victory Medals. She was discharged in March 1946.

On March 10, 1946, she married Plin Robotham. On that day she was also baptized and joined the Methodist Church. They had 4 children, Robert, William, Steven, & Carolin. William and Robert are deceased. They also have three grandchildren, Shannon Brydl, Anthony Robotham, and Carol Walport (Robert), and 8 great grandchildren, Gage and Marshal Brydl, Max and Maya Robotham, Brandon and Evan Fletcher, Thomas and Zoe Walport.

During their marriage they lived near Malcolm, NE (1 Year) and Tamora NE (7 years). In 1954 they moved to a dairy farm near Marquette. Carol was an active partner in the farm, doing milking, fieldwork, and keeping the farm books. They moved to Marquette in 1988 after the dairy was sold.

Plin died in 2000, and Carol continued to live in Marquette with son Steven.

Carol was a member of the Tamora Methodist Church, Marquette Evangelical United Brethren, Marquette United Methodist, and Aurora United Methodist. She served as a Sunday School and Bible School Teacher, Church financial secretary and treasurer, Pastor Parish relations Committee and attended annual conference for 13 years. She belonged to United Methodist Women her entire life, most recently the Dorcas Circle.

Carol felt a mission to help keep people warm. She knitted over 800 stocking caps for the St. Leo's Catholic Church (Grand Island) winter coat give away. She also made many quilts for agencies to give away.

Carol was an active Eastern Star member. She was a member of the Laura May Chapter #251, Chapman, NE and served as Worthy Matron for many years. In latter years she belonged to the Aurora Chapter #93.

Carol loved gardening especially iris and peonies. She was also an avid baker and was famous among her family for her chocolate chip chiffon cake.

She was preceded in death by her husband Plin, sons Robert and William, son-in-law Tom Skordas, brothers Keith and Frederick Petsch, sister Eleanor Doll and many friends and relatives.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.