Robert Edward Gassman 1945-2014

GASSMAN, REARDON, MUELLER, POTTEBAUM, BOWN, SCHUSTER

Posted By: j.n. (email)
Date: 9/22/2014 at 21:36:26

Robert Edward “Bob” Gassman, 69, of Key West, Iowa passed away on Sunday August 17, 2014 at his daughters residence in Dyersville.

Funeral mass will be at 10:30 on Friday, August 22, 2014 at St. Joseph Church, Key West with Rev. John O’Connor officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 21st at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd where there will be a wake service at 3:00p.m. by Deacon John Stierman

Bob was born on August 7, 1945 in Dubuque, Iowa the son of Clarence and Mildred (Reardon) Gassman. He graduated from Wahlert Catholic High School in 1963 in the first full graduating class and he married Mary Ann Mueller.

Bob owned and operated the Key West Feed Store “the unofficial Key West City Hall” where he served as unofficial “Mayor”. He started working at the original Hayes Key West Feed and continued until his retirement.

Bob later worked for Holy Family Schools, at Wahlert Catholic High School and St. Anthony’s. He was a very active member of St. Joseph Key West Parish, the Holy Name Society, and served as an usher.

Bob was very active in sports throughout his life. Both as a fan and a player, continuing as a grandfather watching his grandchildren play sports. He played on many basketball and baseball teams in Key West and continued playing softball into his 60’s. He also enjoyed golfing, playing cards especially euchre and playing cribbage. He participated in many leagues sponsored by Happy’s Place and others.

Bob had a great sense of humor and was known to aggravate people “once in a while.” When playing cards he also loved to occasionally “Sit on people”, especially Mark. He was a great Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bear fan.

Throughout Bob’s illness he always remained positive and had a realistic attitude toward death. He showed us all how to face the inevitable with a smile.

He is survived by his two daughters, Julianne (Kevin Bown) Gassman, and Lisa (Norman) Pottebaum. His grandchildren; Taylor, Justin, Kaitlyn, and Jackson Bown, Ty and Eli Pottebaum. His sister Margie (Leonard) Schuster, his brother Richard (Shirley) Gassman and many nieces and nephews. His former wife Mary Ann Gassman and her mother Grace Mueller and her family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Madonna Link, brother-in-law Harry Link, and a niece Laura Pinska.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of Dubuque especially Edna and Stacy, Dr. Mark Herman, MD, Tony Heiar, PA, and their nurses and staff at Dubuque Internal Medicine, also to Dr. Bobby Koneru, MD, at the Wendt Center and their staff for all their wonderful care and kindness. To all of his amazing family and friends who called and came to visit, you made his last days here on earth very memorable. Bob will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers Bob has requested that memorials be given to Holy Family Schools, Dyersville Beckman or St. Patrick's Catholic School in Cedar Falls.