Robert D. Errthum 1950-2005

ERRTHUM, HEFEL, DEUTMEYER, NICHOLS, PIKE, HAYES, RUDEBECK, TAYLOR, OBERBROECKLING, DUWE, FROMMUNG, CLEMEN

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 3/30/2018 at 20:11:36

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Sunday, February 13, 2005

HOLY CROSS, Iowa - Robert D. Errthum, 54, of Holy Cross, died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005, as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on U.S. 52 North, near Durango.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, with the Rev. Thomas Zinkula officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Kramer Funeral Home, Dyersville, where there will be a parish scripture service at 3:30 p.m.

He was born on March 21, 1950, in Fennimore, Wis., son of Leo and Frances (Hefel) Errthum. He grew to manhood in Holy Cross, graduating from Leo High School in 1968.

He married Phyllis Deutmeyer on Sept. 25, 1971, in Luxemburg. Robert was a loving, supportive husband to his social butterfly. Bob and Phyllis shared a passion for their acreage. For more than 30 years, they created a beautiful home that they shared with family and friends.

As a father, he led by his quiet example, and his four grandsons enjoyed spending time with "Grandpa Bob."

Mr. Errthum worked at John Deere Dubuque Works for 32 years, where he was highly respected for his mechanical skills and affectionately known as "Backhoe Bob." Bob was also employed at Rainbo Oil, Wulfekuhle Bros. and Associate Milk Producers, Inc., where he drove a milk truck. He also was a substitute driver for the Western Dubuque School District for a short time and was able to share the challenges of Phyllis's job.

Never backing down from a challenge, he made the impossible possible. Bob enthusiastically embraced any oppor- tunity to lend a hand to family and friends.

Bob enjoyed fishing and deer hunting, and most recently fulfilled a lifelong dream of flying. He was a certified ultralight pilot and took joy in flying from his own private runway.

Surviving are his wife, Phyllis; three sons and their families, Troy and Martha Errthum and Travis, Trevor and Tanner, all of Pleasant Hill, Brett and Heather Errthum and Sam, all of Davenport, and Eric Errthum and fiancee, Kate Nichols, of College Park, Md.; brothers and sisters, Leon and Elaine Errthum and Allen and Carol Errthum, all of Dubuque, Nick and Carol Errthum, of North Buena Vista, Jerome and Marlene Errthum, of Sherrill, Ed (Deb Clemen) Errthum, of Holy Cross, Gen Pike, of Houston, Mary and Richard Hayes, of Glencoe, Minn., Kathy and Wayne Rudebeck, of Dallas, and Barb and John Taylor of Holy Cross; and in-laws, Marvin and Norma Deutmeyer, of Dyersville, Jerry and Jan Deutmeyer, of Dubuque, Richard and Helen Deutmeyer and Dianne and Dennis Duwe, all of Luxemburg, Mary and Don Frommung, of Prairie Du Sac, Wis., and Grace and Clete Clemen, of East Dubuque, Ill.

He was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Edward Errthum; his parents, Leo and Frances Errthum; a brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Carol Errthum; his parents-in-law, Lawrence and Helen Deutmeyer; and two brothers-in-law, Jim Oberbroeckling and Ralph Deutmeyer.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.

"What an awesome view from up there."