Gwen A. (Bahe) Robinson

Gwen Robinson, age 71, of rural Glenwood, MN died Sunday, July 9, 2023, at home under the care of family and hospice, following a brief battle with cancer. A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Friday, July 14th, at Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Brooten, followed by a Celebration of Life gathering from 2:00 – 5:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 15th at the Pavilion in Brooten. Private family inurnment will take place at East Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Belgrade, MN. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Brooten.

Gwen AnnaMarie Bahe was born on March 11, 1952, in Willmar, MN. She was the first of six children born to parents Ernest and Dorothy (Zilmer) Bahe. Gwen grew up in Belgrade, where she attended school and graduated from Belgrade High School in 1970. After high school, Gwen remained in the Belgrade-Brooten area, working various jobs and raising her two daughters, Missy and Angie. In the mid-1980’s, she purchased land in Gilchrist Township, where she found solitude among the birds and flowers. On April 29, 1989, Gwen was united in marriage to Jon Robinson. The two enjoyed seven years of marriage before Jon’s death in July of 1996.

Gwen worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Glenwood Retirement Village for close to 20 years, after which she worked for various home health agencies in the area. In 2004, she met her neighbor, Wayne Bagstad, when Wayne paid her a visit to inquire about hunting on her land. Soon thereafter, Gwen stopped by Wayne’s home looking to borrow a can of soup for a recipe she was making. An endearing friendship and romance blossomed that lasted the next 18 years.

Having to be cared for after her cancer diagnosis was foreign to Gwen. For 70 years, she was the caretaker of all people, pets and things in her life. As the oldest of six children, caretaking started with her siblings, then her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so many others she lovingly tended along the way. While she loved them all, to those who knew her, it was no secret that the apple of her eye was her only great-grandchild, Ayla, with whom she shared an extra special bond.

Gwen’s interest included bowling, thrift shopping, pagan festivals and she was a member of ABATE MN (American Bikers for Awareness, Training, and Education), a non-profit, grass roots organization committed to educating motorcyclists and the general public about motorcycling.

Sadly, Gwen was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in May of this year. She died on Sunday, July 9, 2023, having lived to the age of 71 years. She will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

She is survived by her two daughters, Melissa Haskamp (Kim Peckler) of North Richland Hills, TX, Angela (Scott Milhausen) Baker-Milhausen of Osakis; her life partner, Wayne Bagstad of Glenwood; three grandchildren, Alyssa (Pat) Starbeck, Richard Mertens, and Jeran (Abby) Baker; one great-greatchild, Alya Starbeck (and another due in Oct.); six step-grandchildren; 7 step-great grandchildren; three sisters, Paulette Bahe, Roxane Bahe, and Brenda (Tom) Wold; two brothers, Dean (Teresa) Bahe and Brian (Colleen) Bahe; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Dorothy Bahe, her husband, Jon Robinson in 1996, and her son-in-law, Jeremy Baker in 2009.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

As said in a tribute left by a friend, “Gwen had a spirit that touched so many souls . . . her smile was contagious . . . her humor was subtle and off the wall . . . her love of family was a force to never challenge . . . her kindness to friends and strangers was a strength that made her shine.”

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.