Robert "Bob" James Wilwerding
January 17, 1944 — June 15, 2024
Robert "Bob" James Wilwerding was born to Aloysius and Philomena (Tunink) Wilwerding on January 17, 1944, in Melrose Park, Illinois. In 1951, the family purchased the Corner Inn Restaurant and moved to Defiance, Iowa. Bob attended St. Paul's Catholic School in Defiance, graduating in 1962 as one of the "12 apostles." After school, Bob moved to Wall Lake, Iowa, and was a lineman for the Illinois Central Railroad. After an on the job injury, he worked as a salesman for Orkin Pest Control.
In 1967, Bob found the love of his life when he met Luella Grote at a dance at the Five Mile House near Westside. They were united in marriage at St. John's Catholic Church in Arcadia, Iowa, on March 23, 1968, and to this union, two children were born, Diane and David. In 1978, they bought the Defiance Hardware Store and relocated to Defiance. They operated the hardware store until it was destroyed by fire in 1991. After the fire, Bob operated Bob's Appliance & Repair and Bob's Pest Control until his retirement. Bob also worked for more than 20 years as an EMT at Medivac Ambulance in Harlan, Iowa.
Bob dedicated his life to serving others and was a 42-year volunteer with the Defiance Volunteer Fire Department as an EMT and firefighter. For many of these years, he was also the treasurer for the department. Bob was a regular blood donor, donating more than 17 gallons of blood over the years. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Bob passed away peacefully in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, attaining the age of 80 years, 4 months, and 29 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Aloysius and Philomena Wilwerding.
He is survived by his wife, Luella Wilwerding of Defiance, IA; children, Diane (Andy) Yost of Logan, IA, and David (Janet) Wilwerding of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren, Shelby Yost, Austin Yost, Caroline Wilwerding, and Ryan Wilwerding; siblings, Joan (Dick) Munchrath of Omaha, NE, Alan (Kathy) Wilwerding of Defiance, IA, and Mary Lou (Fred) Fortey of Monument, CO; other relatives and many friends.
In 1967, Bob found the love of his life when he met Luella Grote at a dance at the Five Mile House near Westside. They were united in marriage at St. John's Catholic Church in Arcadia, Iowa, on March 23, 1968, and to this union, two children were born, Diane and David. In 1978, they bought the Defiance Hardware Store and relocated to Defiance. They operated the hardware store until it was destroyed by fire in 1991. After the fire, Bob operated Bob's Appliance & Repair and Bob's Pest Control until his retirement. Bob also worked for more than 20 years as an EMT at Medivac Ambulance in Harlan, Iowa.
Bob dedicated his life to serving others and was a 42-year volunteer with the Defiance Volunteer Fire Department as an EMT and firefighter. For many of these years, he was also the treasurer for the department. Bob was a regular blood donor, donating more than 17 gallons of blood over the years. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Bob passed away peacefully in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, attaining the age of 80 years, 4 months, and 29 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Aloysius and Philomena Wilwerding.
He is survived by his wife, Luella Wilwerding of Defiance, IA; children, Diane (Andy) Yost of Logan, IA, and David (Janet) Wilwerding of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren, Shelby Yost, Austin Yost, Caroline Wilwerding, and Ryan Wilwerding; siblings, Joan (Dick) Munchrath of Omaha, NE, Alan (Kathy) Wilwerding of Defiance, IA, and Mary Lou (Fred) Fortey of Monument, CO; other relatives and many friends.
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