Axtell, Robert Ross "Bob" 1927-2005

AXTELL, FREDRICKSON, ILER

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 10/20/2005 at 20:24:25

KELLOGG — Robert Ross "Bob" Axtell, 77, of Kellogg died Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005, due to injuries received in a vehicle accident near LeGrand.

Funeral services will be Thursday 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton. Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton is handling arrangements.

Friends may call Wednesday after 6 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will be present from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Memorials will be accepted in his name to the First Presbyterian Church in Newton, Criminal Justice Ministries in Des Moines or Habitat for Humanity in Des Moines.

The son of Ross and Catherine (Fredrickson) Axtell, he was born Nov. 24, 1927, in Hamburg. He graduated from Sidney High School in Sidney and later graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army from April 1944 to December 1950. He worked with his father in Hamburg from 1951 until 1958 at a Chevrolet dealership.

On Feb. 17, 1951, he married Louise "Lou" Iler in O'Neill, Neb. Moving to Newton in February 1959, he and his wife opened a Ford dealership, which grew to a Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge and Jeep dealership. He enjoyed golf, morning walks with his dog, playing cards, hunting and fishing. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Newton since 1959. He also was a member of Newton Kiwanis, Newton Country Club, the Innocents Society and Honorary Business Society in college.

Survivors include his wife; his sons, Robert R. Jr. (Emily) Axtell of Georgetown, Texas, John (Stephanie) Axtell of Wichita, Kan., and Joe (Lesley) Axtell of Grass Valley, Calif.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his sister, Phyllis Axtell of Waverly.

The Newton (IA) Daily News, Tuesday, October 18, 2005