Robin J. Vogen

Robin J. Vogen passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025, one week shy of her 85th birthday. Born in Milwaukee and raised on Oconomowoc Lake, Robin lived a life filled with adventure, generosity, compassion and an unshakable love for people. 

Robin was married to Roger Vogen and they had three wonderful children – Abby (Ed) Horn, Robin (Kevin) Hehn, and Matt (Sandy) Vogen – who were the joy of her life. She was a proud grandmother to six grandsons – Charlie, George, Christopher, Jackson, Derek and Cameron (Paxton), and delighted in her great grandson Hudson. Known lovingly as Grandma Red Jeep, she brought color, fun and boundless energy to every family moment. 

Robin was the second of five siblings – Ann Lee(Chuck), Ned (Nancy), Cookie (Rich) and Peter(Linda), who will miss their spunky sister tremendously. 

Robin’s working life was devoted to service. She proudly served in the United States Navy, beginning a lifetime commitment to helping others. After her military service, she became an alcohol and drug counselor, where her empathy, honesty, and life experience made her a steady source of support for people working toward recovery. Later, she built a successful career in real estate, guiding clients with the same care and integrity that defined everything she did. No matter the role, Robin’s career was rooted in compassion—she dedicated her life to lifting others up. 

Robin was a true citizen of the world. Her love of travel took her to China, Africa, Norway, Honduras, South America, England, Scotland and many places in between. She had a heart for service, spending three years living in Guatemala with Hearts in Motion, where she dedicated herself to supporting communities and people in need. She volunteered generously with St. Vincent de Paul and at her church, embodying her lifelong belief in caring for others. 

Growing up on Oconomowoc Lake shaped Robin’s lifelong love of the water. She was happiest swimming, sailing, boating and skiing. Never one to be limited by expectations, Robin also loved downhill skiing – serving on the ski patrol at Olympia Ski Hill, riding her motorcycle and even dabbled with a pogo stick – just because she could.

Despite significant medical challenges in her later years, Robin remained strong and continued to display her quick wit and spunky attitude no matter what she faced. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion and service, one we should all strive to emulate. 

Robin is preceded in death by her father, Edward Crandall Johnston, her mother, Solveig Smith-Peterson Johnston, Roger Vogen, brother-in-law Chuck Geiger, and her grandson Derek Charles Hehn. 

Because Robin loved the color red, the family invites all attendees to wear something red – even if it’s just her trademark red lipstick – in celebration of a life vibrantly lived. Robin hoped her loved ones would celebrate her, not mourn her, and remember the extraordinary life she embraced so fully. 

A Celebration Service of Robin’s life will be held at St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, W314 Hwy 83 in North Lake, WI on Friday, December 12, 2025.Visitation from 1:00-3:00pm at the church with the Service immediately to follow at 3:00pm. The family invites you to a reception afterward in the building adjacent to the Church to toast this wonderful lady. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Hearts in Motion, St. Vincent DePaul or Family Promise –organizations that reflect Robin’s spirit of giving to others.