Robin C. Gifford
ARLINGTON– In the twinkling of an eye, Robin C. Gifford (83), of Arlington, Wisconsin transformed into heavenly glory on March 11th. Robin passed peacefully in the home that she and her beloved husband, Allen Lee Gifford, built with their own hands in 1972.
Robin was born on October 14, 1942, in Portage, Wisconsin. She spent part of her childhood living on Pointers Creek outside Linn, Missouri, in the foothills of the Ozarks. Robin’s early life was simple, spirited, and full of wonderful, imaginative adventures with her brother, Jim, under the watchful eye of their older sister, Mary. She attended a one-room schoolhouse and, for a time, lived without electricity. She remembered those years with great fondness, especially swimming with Jim among the fish at the Fish Hatchery Pond, discovering an unlocked quarry shed filled with dynamite, playing in a neighbor’s barn, exploring the beautiful outdoors, and growing up in a way that taught her how rich life could be without much at all. She said that she would not have traded her childhood for any amount of money. In 1956, Robin came to live with the Klemp Family at their family farm where she gained three additional siblings Peg, Rick, and Mike.
Robin married her beloved, Allen Gifford, on December 14, 1963, and together they enjoyed 53 years of marriage until Allen’s passing in 2017. They built their family with love, grace, and dedication to their family and celebrated having two blue-eyed girls of their own, Pamela and Bridget “Boo” Gifford.
Over the years, Robin wore many hats (both literally and figuratively) and worked many jobs. She worked for Uncle Rusty’s Sweet Bottling Company. Robin worked for Charles Kennedy Attorney at Law and worked for the federal government. After her daughters were born, Robin worked at Del Monte, Demeter, and Oscar Meyer. In her later life, Robin worked for Tim and Sara Brandsma in the hemp fields. She also worked at the Lodi All Stop, where she was a true crowd favorite as the emcee of Tuesday Cruisedays, delighting everyone with her megaphone and larger-than-life spirit. True to Robin’s nature, she remembered them all as “super fun jobs”. She joked that her only regret was that she never tried her hand at waitressing.
Robin loved gardening, adored her treasured pets, loved her readings, and carried deep and steady faith through every season of life. She was a licensed amateur radio operator, a reflection of both her curiosity and independent spirit. She met life with grace, humor, and quiet strength. One of her greatest gifts was the love of reading, which she passed on to her family. She taught her two daughters, and granddaughter, Abigail, to read, planting in them the delight of digging into books and getting lost in a good story. Robin was also deeply creative. Her hands were rarely still, and she loved crafting and made many beautiful quilts. She was always willing to try something new, whether it was painting, stained glass, or diamond art, and she brought patience, care, and beauty to everything she made. She will be remembered for her warmth and steadiness, the home she built, the family she nurtured, the flowers she grew, the pets she loved, the faith she carried, her open arms for many hugs, twinkling, mischievous, blue eyes, and playful spirit. Her life was a beautiful testament to simple joys, steady love, and enduring grace. She will be profoundly missed.
Robin is survived by her two daughters, Pamela (Glenn) Puntney and Bridget (Andy) Gifford-Thiessen; her granddaughter, Abigail Gifford; step-grandsons, Riley (Kristina) and Cody (Madison) Puntney, and their children. She is also survived by her siblings, James (Jeanette) Chamberlain, Peg (Mike) Blaska, Rick (Karen) Klemp, and Mike Klemp; sister-in-law, Jean (Roger) Arnce; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Robin was blessed with a circle of precious friends, Marty Brey, Allen and Linda Pease, her Tuesday night dinner chums, Mike and Delores, Judy, Sandy, and Lorraine, Operating Engineers Lunch Group, Carol and Jim, Dennis and Sharon, Roger and Marilyn. Rollie and Cristi Maier, Gladys’ Painting Crew, and her family at Wyocena Community Church. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Allen “Gif” Gifford; her sister, Mary; and foster parents, Kenneth “Red” and Virginia Klemp.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 18th, 2026, at Wyocena Community Church, Pastor Mark Brandel is officiating. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service, at 11:30 a.m. A private Inurnment will be set for a later date. Memorials can be made, in her name, to Poynette Public Library. Please wear cheerful colors to celebrate Robin!
Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home, in Portage, is assisting the family.
