Chihak, Robert John 1931 - 2015
CHIHAK, PRASKA, KLIMESH, KURASH, SCHRAGE, VALVODA
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 10/8/2015 at 14:17:40
Robert J. Chihak age 84, of Elma, IA, passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton, IA.
Robert John Chihak, 84, of rural Elma was born June 22, 1931, the youngest child of Joseph F. and Rose (Praska) Chihak. Robert was born at home on the family farm. He attended Catholic school in Lourdes and graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Elma. Upon graduation from high school Robert went in the Army December 1950 and spent time during his service in Germany. He was honorably discharged December 1953. Upon his discharge he entered into farming and mechanical work with his father and brother. He continued farming and was proud of his Grade A dairy herd. After retirement he worked at S&S Trailers, M&J Trailers and then S&S Duraline. On May 9, 1959 Robert was united in marriage to Eileen Klimesh at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin. To this union four children were born Marianne, Patty, Don and Tony.
Robert will always be remembered for making his grandchildren laugh with his funny stories and sayings, his concern for “how the crops were coming”, spending time with family as well as his dog and cats. He will be remembered for his kind and caring manner and always putting others before himself. Robert enjoyed fishing in the pond with his children, deer hunting, and playing baseball in his younger years. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching baseball, basketball and football. He especially enjoyed the Cubs, Twins and the Minnesota Vikings. Two especially great memories for Robert included the experience of traveling to Washington DC on September 16, 2014 with his daughter Marianne on the Honor Flight. On September 1, 2015 he was able to return home from Colonial Manor and be back on the farm. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.
Robert is survived by his wife Eileen of Elma; children Marianne (Steve) Kurash of New Hampton, IA, Patty (Brian) Schrage of Cresco, IA, Don Chihak of Elma, and Tony (Lisa) Chihak of Le Mars, IA; grandchildren Amber (Steven) Kurash and Ryan Kurash of New Hampton, Austin and Morgan Schrage of Cresco, and Emily and Alex Chihak of Le Mars; several nieces and nephews; three sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Rose Chihak; brother and sister-in-laws Paul and Shirley Chihak, Joseph and Marlene Chihak and Mary and Raymond Valvoda.
Source: Conway - Markham Funeral Home database
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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