Obituary

Alferetta Jane Adams,104, of Mission Viejo, California, beloved wife and mother, passed away peacefully at home on August 19, 2023.

Alferetta, better known as “Jane”, was born in the Town of Clayton, Wisconsin to Milo Jay Robinson and Inez Gibson (Tipler) Robinson on October 11, 1918.  Jane spent the first eight years of her life living on farms owned by her maternal and paternal grandparents. In the mid-1920’s the Robinson family decided to move to Neenah, Wisconsin, where Jane was subsequently raised and educated, graduating from Neenah High School in 1936. In the fall of that year, Jane became a student at Oshkosh Business College, where she completed a one-year course of training.

In the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, Jane worked for various employers, including Barnett’s Pharmacy, the United States Postal Service, the Hardwood Products Company, and the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Over time, Jane learned an array of skills, including how to make a delicious, malted milkshake, how to make Kleenex, as well as how to operate a comptometer!

 In many ways Jane was a traditional young woman of her time. But she was also very patriotic and had an unexpected penchant for adventure, too. In the midst of World War II, Jane made the momentous decision to travel 200 miles by train to Chicago, Illinois, where on April 17, 1943, she enlisted in the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. In July of that year Jane was called to active duty and ordered to report to Camp LeJeune, North Carolina. Following three weeks of intense boot camp training, Jane received orders to report to the Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, California. She traveled by troop train for four days and three nights and had to stay sitting up for the entire journey. Upon arriving in San Francisco, Jane began her service for the Department of the Pacific, which entailed doing the payroll for 700 Marines and usually working 7 days a week. San Francisco was a beautiful city, though, that Jane loved to explore at every opportunity. And as fate would have it, Jane also met the love of her life during her stay in San Francisco, as well.

On February 13, 1945, Jane and her roommate, Kay, attended the Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the War Memorial Building in San Francisco. Jane had wanted to stay home, as it was raining heavily.  But Kay was in the mood to dance and convinced her to go to the party. One of the young Marines who asked Jane to dance that night was Robert “Bob” Adams. For Jane and Bob, that evening was the beginning of a beautiful romance that led to 68 years of wedded bliss, along with three much-loved children.

Jane mustered out of the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve in February of 1946, having achieved a rank of Technical Sergeant. She loved being a member of the military, but ultimately chose to be a military wife instead. Bob would remain a U.S. Marine for 21 years and Jane was with him every step of the way, whether they were stationed in Hawaii, North Carolina, or California. Both Bob and Jane loved the United States Marine Corps and were very proud of their service to the country.

In later years, Jane worked part-time for Bullock’s Department Store and California’s  Employment Development Department. She also joined a quilting group, the Nibbling Needlers, and was an active member for 10 years. In her early 80’s, Jane decided to learn how to operate a computer. She followed the stock market, did genealogy research, sent emails to friends and family members, and regularly beat the computer at solitaire. And that really made her happy!

Most of all, though, Jane was devoted to her family. She was an excellent homemaker and often made family favorites like lasagna, fried rice, pecan pie, and her delicious chocolate chip cookies. Jane also regularly attended little league games, school plays, and more, always wanting her children to do well. She absolutely loved being a wife and mother.

Jane was predeceased by her parents, her husband Bob, and her siblings, George Robinson, William Robinson, Ruth Larsen, and Mary Reinke. She is survived by her three children, Robert (Nancy), Susan, and Jeffrey (Pilar), who will miss her more than words can say.

A private graveside service for immediate family members and close friends will be held at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest on September 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Semper Fi Fund  https://thefund.org/donate/  or  OC Animal Care https://www.ocpetinfo.com/

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