Vera L. (Albers) Robison

Vera Lucille Albers was born on the family farm three miles west of Cook, Nebraska on January 11, 1945 to Arnold H. and Neva M. (Fisher) Albers. Vera was the youngest of two girls born to Arnold and Mardell. For the first four years, she grew up on that family farm. Then in 1949, the family moved to Odell, Oregon, in the Hood River Valley, where Arnold was first employed by a lumber company and then worked in the apple orchards. It wasn’t long and the family returned to Cook, Nebraska, first owning the Albers Grocery and Feed Store in Cook then eventually moving back to the family farm.

Vera was baptized on June 28, 1945, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ (Osage) and confirmed on June 15, 1958, at Osage. She was active in 4-H growing up and enjoyed singing with the 4-H Girls Glee. She attended a one-room schoolhouse for her elementary years transferring to Cook Public Schools for Junior and Senior High School. Vera played volleyball in high school; was a member of several vocal and choral groups, as well as the pep club; and was a majorette in the marching band. While Vera did not graduate from Cook High School, she did go back to school and received her GED on November 26, 1980.

Having met on a blind date, Vera married the love of her life, James D. (Doug) Robison, on October 21, 1962, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ (Osage), rural Cook, Nebraska. Their union was blessed with three children: John Scott, Kimberly Sue and Heather Kay. They made Elk Creek their home and she took up the duties of a farm wife and worked alongside Doug from that time on. Many trips to and from fields to help move machinery, haul hay, lay irrigation pipe, and serve meals were made by Vera through the years. In addition, she raised a large garden and lovingly preserved that produce for her family.

Beginning in the early 1980’s, Vera needed to work outside of her home to bring in extra income. She worked at Orbit Inn, Helen’s Café, Rexall Drug as the Hallmark Lady, as a substitute cook at the Elk Creek Public School, occasionally tended bar at the Village Tavern in Elk Creek, cut and permed hair for family and friends, and worked as a nurse’s aide at the Johnson County Hospital. In addition to all of this, Vera also had a side job baking and decorating cakes. She created many beautiful wedding, baptism, confirmation and birthday cakes for family and community members.  Her work was in demand for many years, as were her homemade cinnamon rolls at her kids’ class bake sales.

However, it was during her time as a nurse’s aide that she felt the calling to become a nurse. Vera went back to school and earned her Practical Nursing diploma from Southeast Community College – Beatrice on December 19, 1989, and began her long career as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Johnson County Hospital. It was a truly fulfilling career for her as she enjoyed being a nurse, especially working in surgery and the nursery. She served her extended community with a care and compassion that is still spoken about more than ten years after her retirement.

Despite all of the work that Vera did, she still found time to enjoy hobbies. In addition to the joy she got from baking and decorating cakes and gardening, she was accomplished at knitting, crochet, macrame', sewing, embroidery and painting. To say she was creative and artistic would be an understatement. Vera had an unwavering love for all of God’s creatures that began as soon as she could walk, especially her beloved pet dogs and cats. Her family has no doubt she was met in heaven by every one of them. Vera also had an undying love for Elvis Presley. Over the past month or so, as she prepared to meet her Savior, one of the few things that brought her comfort was listening to Elvis’ gospel music.

Despite all of this, Vera’s true calling was as a wife to Doug and a mom to her three children. She was always there to cheer her kids on, wipe their tears and give them a stern talking to when needed. She took great care of and pride in her home and family. She was counted on by them for advice and her hugs were the best that anyone could give. Vera was a devout Christian all her life, making sure her children were raised to know the gospel of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Through the years, Doug and Vera attended many sporting events, concerts, school programs and graduations in support of their extended family. They were always present at family baptisms, confirmations and weddings.

When Vera’s memory started to noticeably decline, Doug found the tables turned as he became the caregiver for her as dementia took hold. When out and about, their love and care for each other often caused people to remark that they were such a sweet couple and that everyone should be so in love in their senior years. They were able to stay at home up until January of this year, when they relocated to Colonial Acres in Humboldt, Nebraska due to Doug’s declining health. It was there that Doug passed away on February 8, 2025. Vera moved at the end of March from Colonial Acres to Gold Crest in Adams, Nebraska to be closer to family. Her stay there was fraught with grief over the loss of Doug and several medical setbacks. On May 15, Vera left her earthly body to finally rest in her loving Savior's arms having attained the age of 80 years, 4 months and 4 days.

Vera is survived by her children, John (Mary) Robison of Syracuse, NE, Kimberly (Steven) Crook of Crab Orchard, NE and Heather (Eric) Hillman of Fairbury, NE; ten grandchildren (and spouses), Megan (Frederic) Pitrat, Burke (Irina) Brown, Brandon Brown, James Robison, Brandon (Tracy) Crook, Travis (Heather) Crook, Joshua (Alaina) Crook, Jeremy, Tyler and Oliver Hillman; and twelve great-grandchildren, Kamber Pitrat, Tanner, Paisley, Riley and Emilia Brown, and Brody, Katelyn, Cameron, Haeley, Lucas, Brynlee and Callee Crook. She is also survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Elizabeth Robison, Gordon (Sarah) Robison, Donald (Joy) Robison, Deborah Kreienhop; one aunt, Lauretta Schacht of Falls City, NE; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Vera was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Doug; her parents, Arnold and Mardell; sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Richard Fischer; and brother-in-law John Kreienhop.  

Graveside memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 30, 2025 at the Mt. Hope Cemetery, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska with Pastor Ken Tubbesing officiating.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family greeting friends from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, May 29, 2025 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska. A short service will be held at 6:00 p.m. by the Nebraska Nurse's Honor Guard in Vera's honor.  

Memorials may go to Hearts United For Animals, Auburn, Nebraska.

Inurnment will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Elk Creek, Nebraska.

Online condolences may be left @ www.wherrymortuary.com. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vera L. (Albers) Robison, please visit our floral store.