Robin Ann Polder

Robin Ann Polder, 75, passed away on August 24, 2021. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines.

Robin was born in Dayton, Ohio on November 26, 1945 to Robert & Nancy (Walker) Heffner. She was the oldest of 4 children. While growing up and living in Ohio, Robin started a family and began the journey of raising her two daughters, Kim and Michelle. Around the age of 29, a detour in life took her and her girls to Florida where she had her first taste of real estate working as an assistant to a real estate developer. But always being one to want to better herself and the life that she provided for her children, she moved her family to Iowa in 1977.

Upon the suggestion of a friend, she looked into a career in real estate sales. She originally thought it was a joke. What a lucrative joke it turned out to be. She ended up dedicating 44 years to a career that she thoroughly enjoyed while working with others at Universal Partners, Grodt & McKay, Grandquist and Associates, First Realty and for the last 35+ years calling RE/MAX home. Not only did Robin enjoy the negotiations of the deal, but until recent years, you could find her getting her hands dirty for her clients. From caulking windows to get a closing done or getting out the chainsaw and cutting down a tree so a listing would show better, this woman has been a plumber, a painter, a handyperson, a gardener, a friend and so much more to her clients. She also worked to improve the real estate community by being an educator for the state, representing her colleagues on numerous boards, mentoring several new agents and serving as the Des Moines Area Association President in 2015, just to name a few. Her success has not only been measured by the numerous awards that she has received but also by the many friendships that she had with her peers and clients.

Personally, Robin also loved to contribute her time, money and knowledge to many great organizations, such as The Children’s Miracle Network, Race for The Cure, Habitat for Humanity, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Realtor Political Action Committee & more. But what filled her cup the most was the help she was able to provide when she was able to give a leg up to another single mother in her community.

Robin was also a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She took so much joy in watching everyone in her family grow and accomplish their goals. Of course, sometimes that did include a “little direction” from the queen herself.

Robin is survived by her daughters, Kim (Dave) Polder White and Michelle (Russ) Polder Keith; grandchildren, Rylee Keith, Raegan Keith, Joe (Jennifer) White, Karen White; great-grandchildren and a great, great-grandchild; siblings, Robert (Jennifer) Heffner, Tom (Marcia) Heffner, Brenda (Mike) Carson; and several nieces and nephews.

Robin is proceeded in death by her parents, her sister, Patti Marlar and two nephews.
Memorial contributions may be directed in loving memory of Robin to Lutheran Church of Hope to be used for their Mission Outreach Programs. Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

As many have said in the days since her passing, Robin was a force that will be remembered and missed by many!

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