SCHLUETTER, Robert Alan 1941-2016

SCHLUETTER, GARDNER, BACH

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 8/15/2016 at 10:45:22

Obituary for Bob Schluetter

Bob Schluetter age 74, of New Hampton, Iowa died Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 16, 2016, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed by Bob's four children. Lectors for the Mass will be Alan Schluetter and Kyler Carnes. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Jacob, Luke, Ross, and Evan Schluetter.

Interment will be held in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, North Washington with Alan Schluetter, Jacob Schluetter, Kyler Carnes, Luke Schluetter, Ross Schluetter, and Evan Schluetter serving as pallbearers.

Friends may greet the family 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2016, at Hugeback - Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 5:30p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass on Monday in North Washington.

Robert Alan Schluetter was born December 5, 1941, in New Hampton, Iowa, the son of Jack and Lucille (Gardner) Schluetter. As a young boy Bob served Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington where he participated in the church choir. Bob had a paper route in North Washington and would help area farmers to make some extra money. He attended school in North Washington and graduated in 1960 from the "University of North Washington" as Bob liked to call it.

After graduation he moved to New Hampton and started working for Anderson Furniture. Through his sister, Lola, Bob was introduced to Rosemary Bach. The couple were married on August 18th, 1962, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Hampton. To this union four children; Jeff, Randy, Jamie, and Sherre were born.

In 1968, Bob and Rosemary began operating the Crystal Ball roller rink in New Hampton. Bob also worked construction for his father-in-law, Al Bach during the day and operated the skating rink at night. After three years of owning the business, the family built a new facility to provide a better skating rink for children. Bob was a natural on skates and could move effortlessly around the rink. Children were drawn to Bob's smile and ability on skates.

In 1965, out of the basement, he started Bob's Custom Upholstery, which became well known throughout the surrounding area. His tagline was "I can upholster anything industrial, residential, and commercial." He had great ability with his hands and could upholster anything with material on it. Bob had his measuring equipment with him at all times, in case he ran into someone who needed his services.

Bob loved watching Jeff and Randy race cars. As they moved up the circuit from Hobby Stock, Stock Car, and Modified classes, Bob was always in the stands with his video camera recording the action. When the races were over, he frequently had a grill out with the entire family. It did not matter if it was 4 pm or 4 am, there was going to be food, fun, and family.

Bob enjoyed fishing and boating with his family. He was the type of angler that didn't have his favorite type of fish to catch as long as he was catching something. He was able to catch a Northern Pike at Clear Lake that earned him a large fish award from the State of Iowa.

Bob loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Special times consisted of their beloved Jeep rides and the ever present prank playing between him and the kids. Bob will be loved and missed by all.

Bob is survived by his former wife, Rosemary Schluetter of New Hampton; three sons, Jeff (Sylvia) Schluetter, Randy (Gladys) Schluetter and Jamie (Nikki) Schluetter all of New Hampton, Iowa; one daughter, Sherre (Jeff) Carnes of New Hampton, Iowa; six grandsons, Alan Schluetter, Kyler Carnes, Jacob Schluetter, Luke Schluetter, Ross Schluetter, and Evan Schluetter; two sisters, Carol (Ray) Panoch of New Hampton, Iowa, and Lola Palmersheim of Omaha, Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Ivan Schluetter; one sister, Doris Schluetter.

Source: Hugeback - Johnson Funeral Home website