Heim, Robert Francis --- 1920-2013

KEENAN, HEIM, ROLING, MEYER, HYDE, PENOKIE, SUDMEIER, WESSELS, AMADON

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 5/14/2014 at 10:13:59

10/23/2013 Waukon Standard

Robert Heim

Robert Francis Heim, 93, of Dubuque, formerly of Luxemburg and Holy Cross, died suddenly, Sunday, October 20, 2013 at Sunset Park Place, Dubuque. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 26 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Luxemburg, with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Jose Comparan will officiate. Scherrmann-Peterson American Legion Post 656 will accord Military Honors.
Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Friday, October 25 at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, where the parish vigil service will be held at 4 p.m. and the Scherrman-Peterson American Legion Post 656 will attend at 6 p.m.
Bob was born July 4, 1920 in Bellevue, the son of Charles and Mary (Keenan) Heim. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic High School with the Class of 1937. He enlisted as an aviation cadet December 11, 1942. He was called to active duty September 29, 1943 and was sent to the Naval Flight Prep School in Northfield, MN. He was then sent to CAA-WTS at Carroll College in Helena, MT for flight school. He logged enough hours for a private pilot’s license but washed out because of poor depth perception and was sent to boot camp at San Diego, CA.
From there, Robert went to Aviation Mechanic Mate School NATTC in Norman, OK and then to N.A.G.S. in Jacksonville, FL. He then was sent to the Naval Air Station in Sanford, FL and finally to the USNAS in Hutchinson, KS. He received an honorable discharge May 7, 1946.
He married Bernice Catherine Roling October 8, 1947 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bellevue. Together they raised 13 children and farmed near Luxemburg for 34 years. He was one of the first to adopt early conservation farming practices. Robert was a Farm Bureau member for over 50 years and also served as Dubuque County President from 1975-1976. He was a member of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association for many years.
Bernice preceded him in death October 7, 1985. He later married Shirley Mae Meyer Hyde March 21, 1987 in Dubuque. They resided in Holy Cross. She also preceded him in death January 31, 2011.
Survivors include his children, Ruth Heim of Roselle, IL, Thomas (Bev) Heim of New Albin, Patricia (George) Penokie of Rochester, MN, Harold (Sherri) Heim of Manchester, Alice (Dale) Roling of Dodgeville, WI, Rosalie (Russ) Sudmeier of New Vienna, Brenda (Pat) Wessels of Dyersville, Marvin (Laurie) Heim of Decorah, George Heim of Dubuque, Kenneth (Bonnie) Heim of Caledonia, MN, Frank (Michelle) Heim of Platteville, WI, Karen (Greg) Amadon of Seattle, WA, and David (Laurie) Heim of New Vienna; 33 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; his step-children, Shirley (Glen) Loper of Viroqua, WI, Debra (William) Dotolo of Harrison, AR, Georgia Lindemann of Montgomery, MN, and Jeanna Meyer of Lakeville, MN; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Hyde of Dubuque; 32 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law, Marcie Roling, Rosemary Roling, Izzy Stillmunkes, Lou (John) Merkes, Leona Roling and Helen Daugherty; and a brother-in-law, Alvin Kilburg.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bernice; his second wife, Shirley; a son-in-law, Bob Chabak; his grandchildren, Heidi Heim, Kimberly Wessels, Robert Roling and Matt Fiala; his step-children, Virgil Lee and Brian Hyde, and Judith Brauer; his siblings, Vincent (Elizabeth) Heim, John (Audrey) Heim, Helen (Joseph) Roling and Charles Heim; his in-laws, Vincent (Mary) Roling, Art (Agnes) Roling, Raymond (Rita) Roling, Richard (Carol) Roling, Glen Roling, Orval Roling, Aloysius Roling, Stell Kilburg, Ida (Cletus) Herrig, Raymond Stillmunkes and Virginia (Bob) Deppe.
Memorials are preferred and may be given to LaSalle Catholic School, Resurrection Parish of Dubuque, Albrecht Acres or Camp Courageous.