Ursula Tillberg Robinson

Ursula Hanneliese Tillberg Robinson (Nennstiel), age 86, was born on July 24, 1939, in Bochum, Germany.

A celebration of life service will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Royale in Little Falls.

She grew up in West Germany during and in the aftermath of World War II. As a small child, she lived through bombings, displacement, and the devastation of war under Adolf Hitler’s regime. Those formative years shaped her into a woman of unwavering faith, resilience, and perseverance. From an early age, she experienced many trials and miracles alike—enduring themes that would define her life.

From 1958 to 1961, Ursula studied midwifery in Wuppertal, Germany. She went on to serve for many years as a midwife, proudly delivering more than 5,000 babies. She viewed her profession as a sacred calling, believing every birth was a miracle. Over the course of her years, she battled many illnesses, including kidney failure, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and spinal meningitis, resulting in lifelong physical ailments. Despite this, her tenacity of spirit could not be matched. She credited her resolve and survival to God’s grace and consistently gave Him glory for carrying her through every trial.

In 1970, after a period of exchanging letters overseas, she married Dennis Tillberg, a northern Minnesota native. In 1971, she immigrated to the United States and made Minnesota her new home. She worked diligently to gain citizenship and faced hardship and prejudice as a German immigrant. Ursula gave up her career as a midwife and devoted herself to helping Dennis run a small farm and build a family together.

Ursula and Dennis were married for more than 26 years, until his death in 1996. Together, they raised their family in Roosevelt and later Warroad, Minnesota. They had five children: Pamela, Michael, Chris, Daniel, and Ricky. The family experienced profound loss when their youngest son, Ricky, passed away from leukemia at just three years old. Despite this heartbreak and many other challenges along the way, Ursula remained steadfast in her faith and found comfort in the belief that she would one day be reunited with her baby boy in Heaven.

Following Dennis’s passing after a lengthy battle with cancer, she remained in Warroad for several years before moving to Thief River Falls, where she lived for a time. After marrying her second husband, Jerry Robinson, the couple later relocated to Little Falls, Minnesota, where they spent her remaining years together.

For much of her adult life, Ursula worked as a front desk clerk and night auditor in Minnesota’s hospitality industry, with positions in Warroad, Thief River Falls, Alexandria, and Little Falls. She was known for her strong work ethic and deep pride in doing her job well, continuing to work until the age of 85. This work allowed her to connect with people from all walks of life—connections she cherished, especially the opportunity to share her story and her faith.

Ursula found peace and fulfillment in writing and sharing her poetry. She also authored a memoir, Alusru: Her Tears Became Pearls, published in 2017. Her writing was recognized with several awards, including a special visit to SeaWorld for one of her poems. In her later years, she fulfilled a deeply meaningful dream by traveling to Jerusalem, visiting the Garden of Gethsemane and walking where Jesus once walked.

She was kind, generous, deeply proud of her adopted country, and a committed Republican and patriot. In retirement, she found joy in making handmade cards and delivering treats to local law enforcement officers and veterans as small acts of appreciation. She was almost always seen wearing one of her beloved “I Love Jesus” rainbow pins—pins she gave away as freely as she gave her bright smile.

She was lovingly known as “Oma” to all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a name she wore with pride. She will be remembered for her enduring sense of humor, her devotion to her Lord, and the unwavering strength and fortitude that defined her life.

Ursula is survived by her husband, Jerry Robinson; her children Pamela Lezer (Troy Lezer), Michael Tillberg, Chris Tillberg, Daniel Tillberg, and daughter-in-law Brenda Blume (Chris Blume); her grandchildren Katherine Lee (Jacob Lee), Jessica Baggett, Emanual Pederson, Jacob Lezer, Ariel Lezer, Abigayle Tillberg, Emma Tillberg, Danielle Tillberg, and her grandson-in-law, Aaron Blume; her great-grandchildren Karrah, Berkley, Beau, Lyla, Liam, and Luke; and her brother, Georg Nennstiel, of Germany.

She was preceded in death by her son, Ricky Tillberg; her mother, Margarette Nennstiel; her father, Ernst Nennstiel; and her brother, Jürgen “Jorg” Nennstiel.