Robert Charles Rothmeyer, age 90, died on Friday, November 8, 2024 at Ossian Senior Hospice after a courageous battle with prostate cancer.
Bob was born on December 22, 1933 in Bloomfield Township, Winneshiek County. His parents were Frank and Genevieve (Gerleman) Rothmeyer. He attended school at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School through the 11th grade and then graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1952.
At age 10, Bob began his farming experience by working for several area farmers until enlisting in the US Army in July of 1953. He served for two years in Germany as a truck driver. After being discharged, Bob returned to the Ossian area and worked for local farmer Fred Scheidel.
In 1956, on a blind date in Chicago, he met his future wife, Audrey Northrop. Audrey was a nursing student from Allen Nursing School in Waterloo doing a rotation in Chicago. Bob and Audrey were married on January 26, 1957 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waterloo on a record cold day.
They settled in Cedar Rapids where Bob experienced layoffs at three different manufacturing companies before being hired by Quaker Oats where he worked in the grain unloading terminal. During this time, two daughters were born. Bob’s love for farming brought the family back to NE Iowa where he worked for farmer Joe Hemesath near Monona. While living in Monona another daughter joined the family. Shortly after this, in 1960, the family moved to Ossian to the John Uhlenhake farm which they later purchased. Bob and Audrey had three more children to complete their family.
Bob’s career as a farmer allowed him to fulfill his dream of caring for his family, his animals and the land. Being a dairy farmer instilled in his children a strong work ethic and loyalty to family.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Genevieve; sisters, Jean Ann who died at age 4, Irene (Pat) Grady, and Elizabeth (Betty) Schnuelle; brother, James; nephew, Shane Rothmeyer; great-granddaughter, Lucy Nieman; and granddaughter, Brianna Sauer.
Bob is survived by his wife of 67 years, Audrey; brothers, Bill and Art; children, Janice, Susan, Kathryn (Mark) Hunt, Brian (Lorna), Brenda (Dave) Mueller and Steven (Shelly);step-daughter Cathy Daniels; 16 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Ossian, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.