Robyn Essler, 15, Garrison, died on Thursday, March 22, 2012 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident near Garrison. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 10:30 am at the Garrison High School. A rosary will be said on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 beginning at 7:00 pm at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Garrison. Burial will be at St. Nicholas Catholic Cemetery in Garrison.

Visitation will be held on Monday from 9 to 7 at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison.

Robyn was born November 14, 1996 in Minot, ND to Kim and Sandra (Funk) Essler. She was raised in Garrison and was a freshman at Garrison High School. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Garrison.

Robyn was a very gifted young lady, having many interests and talents. She was actively involved in the Garrison FFA Chapter, and also played piano and trumpet. Robyn truly enjoyed reading and writing poetry. She wrote numerous poems, most of which were to encourage or inspire, or even to make you laugh. Laughter of course was considered "medicine" by Robyn. Hanging out with friends or texting friends was an everyday medicine for Robyn. If it wasn't her friends, she made do with her family dogs, Gizmo and Lucy. Friends or her dogs, however, could not take the place of time spent with her family. Hanging with Mom and Dad, or messing around with her brothers, was time that could never be replaced.

Robyn absolutely loved to compete. Whether it was whooping up on her brothers at home or battling an assignment in school, she always wanted to come out on top. She competed in basketball, track, and cross country. Her competitiveness was never more evident than when she became the 2011 ND State Class B Cross Country Individual Champion. Not only did her passion to run gain her achievements, it allowed her to clear her head and truly be free.

Robyn was both loved and admired by many, and her heart, desire, and memory will last forever.

Robyn is survived by her parents, Kim and Sandra, Garrison; brothers, Ryan and Randy, both students at NDSU, Fargo, ND; maternal grandmother, Leona (Kling) Funk, Bowbells, ND; paternal grandparents, Allan and Twila (Jensen) Essler, Kenmare, ND; aunts and uncles, Annette Funk, Minot, ND Joyce (Ray) Wald, Baldwin, ND, Ramona (George) Hamlin, Laguna Niguel, CA, Jerome Funk, Williston, ND, Linda (Rob) Davis, Lincoln, ND, Janice Ralston, Petersburg, ND, James (Stacey) Funk, Bowbells, ND, John (Heidi) Funk, Fargo, ND, David (Sheila) Funk, Minot, ND, Jerry (Sam) Essler, Kenmare, ND, Lori Simon, Fargo, ND, Paul (Stacia) Essler, Rosemount, MN, Sharon (Greg) Schindel, Gilbert, AZ, and 30 first cousins.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Arnold Funk, and one cousin Samantha Wald.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Garrison Fire Dept., Garrison Ambulance, SACA Digital Movie Project, Camp of the Cross, Garrison FFA, or the donor's choice.