The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Meet Your Neighbor

by Dessa Rodeffer - Quill Publisher/Owner

Meet Charlene Robbins, your neighbor in Biggsville.

Charlene was born in Burlington hospital and raised in Iowa and Illinois, a twin daughter of the late Kenneth and Donna Rice. Her father was retired from J.I. Case Company at the time of his passing. Her mother has been busy at home with six children and still remains in Biggsville.

Charlene's grandparents were Gilbert and Dorothy Walker. Gilbert was a Biggsville carpenter. Both deceased.

Charlene's identical twin is Charlotte (Brad) Shafer. The girls also have four brothers: Kevin, Brian, Kendal, and Curtis Rice.

Charlene married the love of her life Chris Robbins on March 1, 1975 and will be celebrating 41 years this year! They have three children and six grandchildren. They are:

Chad (Marnie) Robbins of Galena, is an it specialist with one daughter Harper, who will be 9 in March.

Jamie (Nicole) Robbins is a Train Master for BNSF in Burlington, IA with three children Evan-13, Laina-11 and Avery-5.

Jen (Tony) Starr of Mt Pleasant, IA with two daughters Emma-10 and Myah-7. Jen is a Bilingual Accounts Manager at Temps Associates in Mt. Pleasant.

Charlene is a 1974 graduate of Union High School. She was a member of the Union Marching Band.

While her husband Chris worked for the State Highway Department until his retirement in 2011, Charlene worked on Main Street in Biggsville for 31 years. For 5 years she worked at the Red & White grocery store starting in 1984, and then when it changed hands, for Larry's Foods.

She started at the First State Bank in September of 1989 where she worked until December 31st 2015. By that time it became Casey State Bank. 26 years four months.

The best thing about living and working in the same community, Charlene said, is knowing your customers so well. "They are missed but I am enjoying retirement very much and being with my husband since his April 30, 2011 retirement 5 years ago.

The couple are of the Methodist faith.

The couple have been very lucky to travel quite a bit. Some of their favorite places are Yellowstone, Monterey CA. Colorado, Florida (Disney World), Siesta Key, Mackinaw Island in Michigan, Wisconsin, Branson MO. They even traveled to Monclova, Mexico on a mission trip.

Summer time fun for Charlene and Chris is our pool parties "with our big, crazy fun family! We may or may not have a reputation for making lots of noise." she said.

Future plans include God, family, following her musical husband as he plays at churches and small venues and plays in the Sean Costanza Band, where Sean is a solo country singer/songwriter from Burlington, IA. Charlene hopefully will enjoy more traveling with Chris as well.

Grandchildren are always in our plans to keep us busy and attending school functions as they begin involvement in sports.

A favorite quote is: "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no trail, and leave a path."