Rev. Steven P. Robins, 69
The Rev. Steven P. Robins, 69, passed on from this Earth receiving a permanent change of address straight into the loving arms of his Savior hearing in person, “Well done good and faithful servant” on Oct. 22, 2021, going to his final rest peacefully in his sleep.
Steve was born in Bozeman, Mont., Nov. 21, 1951, to his loving parents, Joseph and Coleen Robins. The oldest of three children, Steve attended several elementary schools graduating from high school in Bemidji, Minn., in 1969. Steve attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, Minn., earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and pastoral studies, graduating in 1973.
At college he met, and later married, the love of his life, his “Lady Blue,” Linda Beth Cole (Robins). They were married Oct. 30, 1971, at the Assembly of God Church in Bemidji. Steve and Linda enjoyed only a few days short of 50 years of marriage together. Steve and Linda had two children, Jeffrey Steven, born in 1974, and Joseph Edward, born in 1976. Jeff and his wife Elaina had two daughters, Briana Mae and Tara Joy, Steve’s two grandchildren.
After graduating from college, Steve received his license to preach from the Minnesota District Council of the Assemblies of God and later, in 1977, he received ordination from the General Council. Steve held several positions during his career as a minister, including a member of the New Life Crusaders evangelistic team, as a youth pastor, an associate pastor, a lead pastor and pastor emeritus. Steve served in churches in Great Falls, Mont., Emerado, N.D., Troy, Mont., Malta, Mont., Oak Harbor, Wash., and at Mt. Hall Community Church and Bridgeway Assembly of God Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Steve retired from full-time preaching in 2016 after 43 years of service in the pulpit but never really walked away from preaching. He maintained his ordination and continued to serve in the ministry, preaching God’s word at every opportunity he was given until his death, delivering his final message from the pulpit just a few weeks ago.
Steve enjoyed many things during his life including; loving people, preaching, singing with his “Lady Blue,” interacting with the young people he loved so much, and playing the guitar, his banjo, or the piano. Steve also enjoyed fishing or hunting with anyone who needed a buddy or who wanted to go, heading up into the mountains to get a load of firewood, riding and working with horses, camping, relaxing with family, rooting for his sports teams, and much more.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Coleen; his uncle, Leroy (Sonny) and aunt Shirley Estabrooks; his uncle, Bob and aunt Ecco Nims; uncles Emmett Robins, Dale Torrence and Dale Harrington; his nieces, Honey Joy Huseby and Ruth Anne Gilbertson; nephew Mike Cole; and several other family members.
Steve is survived by his wife, Linda; his sons, Jeff (wife Elaina) and Joe; grandchildren Briana and Tara; his sisters, Rebecca Huseby (husband Thad) and Christine Gilbertson (husband Dan); brother-in-law Dave Cole (wife Linda); sister-in-law Deb Green (husband Sandy); and many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members, and all of the countless lives he impacted with his quick smile and encouraging words given everywhere he went as the Lord led him to do so.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at the Bridgeway Assembly of God Church, 66027 U.S. Highway 2 near Bonners Ferry. Refreshments will follow. Interment will be scheduled at a later date.
Steve’s wife Linda, sons Jeff and Joe, and the rest of Steve’s family members would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the residents, medical staff, first responders, and so many others from in and around Bonners Ferry and the surrounding communities for the sincere care, generosity, and friendship exhibited by so many and given to Steve over the last 27 years he had the privilege of living here in Boundary County.
