Robert "Bob" Holles (1933-2004)

HOLLES, GAUL, MCCARTHY, BAKKER, LOOTS, GEORGE

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Robert "Bob" Holles, 71, of Sheldon died Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004, at Northwest Iowa Health Center in Sheldon.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sheldon, with the Rev. Robert Schimmer officiating. Graveside services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Granville, Iowa, with military rites conducted by Iowa Army National Guard.

Robert Matthew Holles, the son of Michael and Catherine (Gaul) Holles, was born Jan. 27, 1933, in Granville, Iowa. He grew up on a farm near Granville. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Granville, graduating from high school in 1951. He helped out on the farm until joining the U.S. Army in 1953. He served during the Korean Conflict and was discharged in 1955. After his discharge, he returned to Granville and continued farming on his parent's farm.

He was united in marriage to Carol McCarthy on Aug. 16, 1955, in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Granville. The young couple lived in Granville, Des Moines and Red Oak, Iowa, before moving back to Granville to farm on his parent's home place following the death of his mother. In 1967, the couple moved to Sheldon, where he worked in sales, then as a recruiter for the Army National Guard. In January 1981, he took a full-time position as a recruiter with the guard. He retired from the guard in January 1993, with the rank of staff sergeant.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, where he was an usher for more than 30 years. He was an active member of the Sheldon Knights of Columbus, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He had also been active with the Sheldon Jaycees, Boy Scouts, Foresters and the Sheldon Museum. The Army National Guard was his life along with his wife and family. He had been active in the Employer Support Group Reserve, the Family Support Group Reserve and the Sioux City Air Museum.

He enjoyed collecting eagles, airplanes, beer steins and coins. You could also find him behind his camera, taking pictures of weddings, graduations and any event that took place in Sheldon. He had a quick sense of humor and a deep love for animals.

He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 49 years, Carol; five children, Keith Robert Holles of Rushmore, Minn., Susan and her husband, Jon Bakker, of Dows, Iowa, Steven Holles and his wife, Joan, of Sheldon, Barbara and her husband, Mark Loots, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Kathryn and her husband, Keith George, of Sioux City; eight grandchildren, Jessie Siemonsma, Brandon Kooiker, Alex and Jake Stodden, Caleb Bakker, Taylor Bakker, Nathan Holles, Janessa Holles and Kaitlyn George; a great-granddaughter, Isabella Stodden; a brother, Ambrose "Bud" Holles of Hospers, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Leona Holles of Granville; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; and his grandpuppies and grandcats.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Elmer in infancy and Clarence Holles; a sister, Dorothy Holles; and a sister-in-law, Alice Holles.