Joseph C. Robins, 74, of Delphos, Kan. (formerly of Minneapolis, Kan.), died Saturday, December 28, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family. Joe was born on April 13, 1950, in Salina, Kan., to Robert R. and Loretta LaVone “Bonnie” (Trow) Robins.
Like many high school boys, Joe had multiple jobs. He hated cleaning out a chicken coop, but he did it for the reward of a delicious slice of pie afterward. When he wasn’t working, he was honing his “racing” skills in and around Minneapolis—including removing all the stop signs, just to be found putting them back up the next morning.
Joe graduated from Minneapolis High School in 1968. The day after Joe graduated, his father pulled him off his bed and announced, “You are going to work,” marking the day when Joe started working for Robins Sand and Gravel. His first job title was ditch rock picker-upper.
On November 7, 1970, Joe hitched a ride to a local bar. On the way, they swung by a local farm and picked up a girl. After leaving the bar, Deb rode home with Joe and they were engaged at Christmas that same year. Joe and Deb were united in marriage on June 27, 1971.
Daughter Ericka was born in October 1973 and shortly after that, Joe began working and perfecting his welding skills at Eldorado Manufacturing’s welding shop. During that time, Joe drove a 1947 Ford coupe back and forth from the farm they lived on outside Delphos, taking all the back roads so he wouldn’t chip the paint on a car that wasn’t even painted.
In the mid-1970s, Joe bought his first dump truck and began hauling and working in the sand and gravel business. Joe had the ability to drive any kind of heavy machinery with ease in a short amount of time. Operating a loader was second nature to Joe, and many people would watch him remove snow from local businesses.
While driving the dump truck in the early 1990s, he found a stray dog and brought it home. When pricing out fences for the new dog, he realized he could build his own fence, and that marked the beginning of Ironman Joe.
The iron business gave Joe the opportunity to explore his creative side and once again show his ability to work any piece of machinery, small or large. His fences, flowers, and other artistic iron creations can be seen in many yards, homes, and businesses throughout the country.
In April 2018, his ironwork business slowed down when he was diagnosed with amyloid angiopathy, resulting in multiple strokes. But through the challenges, Joe’s faith, humor, wit, and ability to make anyone laugh didn’t waver, along with his love of the KC Royals, NASCAR, and strawberry shakes.
In May 2000, Joe’s favorite granddaughter was born, followed by his favorite grandson in October 2004. Their relationship was full of trips to the pool, playing in the dirt, and hiding things from Grandma.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother, Robert Yale Robins. Survivors are his wife of 53 years, Deb; daughter, Ericka Agebrand, and her husband, Martin, of Denver, Colo.; two grandchildren, Emma and Noah Agebrand; and brother John Robins and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle Ave., Minneapolis, KS67467. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. onThursday, January 2, 2025, at Words of Light Fellowship Church, 203 N. Custer St., in Delphos. Burial will be at the Delphos Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Focal Point Ministries or The Morgan Adams Foundation and can be left in care of the funeral home.