Obituary for Minnie “Rosalee” Corbin

Minnie Rosalee Corbin

October 28, 1927 – November 28, 2020

Minnie “Rosalee” Corbin, age 93, died peacefully in the Ponca City hospital on November 28, 2020. She was born October 28th, 1927 to Scott and Elizabeth Vollmer in Salt Fork, Oklahoma. Rosalee is united with Phil, her beloved husband of 75 years, who passed away January 30th, 2020.

Growing up in a small town, Rosalee and her three sisters made sure they didn’t miss out on any of the town events! Learning early to read, Rosalee assisted other students in elementary school, which was valuable practice for teaching her own daughter and two sons to read before they started school. Since her family had the Salt Fork telephone office in their home, at the age of 12 she began working the switchboard, placing calls that were often overseas during WW II. She also helped run the post office in their home. Attending high school in Lamont, Blackwell, and Enid, she loved playing basketball, volleyball, and softball and played saxophone in the band. In high school she learned to tap dance from her sister Maxine, surprising her family last Christmas with some smooth dance steps she remembered. She delighted in playing hymns on the piano at church and continued her interest in listening to Christian music.

Rosalee met the love of her life, Phil, when he worked on the railroad in Salt Fork. They were married at the First Christian Church in Garber, OK on December 24th, 1944, soon after he was discharged from the Army. Since Phil worked as an agent/operator for 44 years for the Frisco and Burlington Northern Railroads, the family lived in several locations in Kansas and Oklahoma, including 17 years in Cordell, 10 years in Clinton, and one year in Blackwell. Their three children, Robert, Jim and Lee Ann, graduated from Cordell High School and Southwestern OK State University in Weatherford. After retirement, the couple moved to Ponca City in 1986.

Rosalee had many interests that kept her active-working in a photography shop, producing a beautiful nativity set and Christmas trees in a ceramics class, and managing a small restaurant with Phil in Southard, OK. Her greatest passion has been gardening for over 65 years. Many neighbors, friends, and family were recipients of the garden’s abundant produce of fruits and vegetables-her labor of love to grow, can, freeze, and prepare the homegrown treasures. She was an excellent cook! Until the last few years, their dogs and the granddogs were always favorite companions in their home. Rosalee’s ability to quickly complete jigsaw and crossword puzzles was amazing, an ability she passed on to her family. She avidly read four newspapers to which she and Phil subscribed. She loved pictures, always labelling and studying them. Her sisters remained her closest friends throughout her life. Rosalee was a member of the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Ponca City.
Watching her children and grandchildren play sports and the OU Sooners basketball and football games brought her much joy! Remembering the names of many of the players was an incredible feat for Rosalee and Phil. Their top priority was always their family!!

Survivors include: children: Lee Ann Cavener and husband, Rick of Owasso, Jim Corbin and wife, Randa of Blackwell, Robert Corbin and wife, Lois of Ponca City, sister: Carol and husband, Cliff Glover of Wichita, KS, Betty Prather of Pryor, grandchildren: Michaela and husband, Will Dierinzo (sons Andrew and Hudson) of Owasso, Jason and wife, Carey Corbin (sons Caleb and Parker) of Tulsa, Ryan and wife, Laura Corbin (son Christian) of Tulsa, Blake Corbin (son Peyton) of Norman, Jennifer and husband, Shawn Kiser (children Wyatt, Wade, and Whitney) of Blackwell, Jerrod and Aubrey Bush (children Leah and Hayden) of Wichita, KS, nieces and nephews: Scott and wife Trissona Prather, Cindy and husband, Steve Black, Kenny and wife, Patsy Prather, Jonna and husband, Bob Gardine, Tawna Mitchell, Tara Corbin, Gary and wife, Debra DeWeese, Kathy (Corbin) Owens, and Anga Lee Everett.

Rosalee was preceded in death by her husband: Phil, parents: Scott and Elizabeth Vollmer, sister: Maxine and husband Paul Prather, and brother-in-law, John Prather.

A memorial service will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Friendship Feast Ministry at First Christian Church, 210 North 5th Street, Ponca City, OK 74601. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Source: Trout Funeral Home