Rann, Robert Henry 1935-2006

RANN, HEEREN, ROZELL

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/27/2009 at 14:10:09

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, October 16, 2006

Robert Rann, 71, of Akron, died Saturday, Oct. 14, 2006, at Orange City Hospital in Orange City.

Robert Henry Rann was born July 14, 1935, in Le Mars, the son of Adolph and Louise Anna Kathrina (Heeren) Rann. Bob was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church (Preston Township) rural Akron. He attended elementary school in Ruble and later graduated from Le Mars High School in 1953. At the age of 17, Bob began farming on the family homestead. On Feb. 20, 1955, he married Phyllis Rozell in Akron. Bob continued farming until 1959.

Bob served in the Iowa Army National Guard, based in Sioux City. He served for six years and attained the rank of Platoon Sergeant. He began his career as an over-the-road truck driver which took him throughout the United States. He later became a heavy equipment operator and operated a variety of machines, his favorite being the dragline. Bob worked for Flewelling Construction in Kingsley, Higman Sand and Gravel in Akron, and Myron Olson Construction in Sioux City, where he operated demolition equipment.

Bob enjoyed boating and fishing, rock collecting, and demolition work. He liked to visit his children at their work places and joking around with family and friends. Bob was a man of few words but he was very compassionate and was always there to lend a helping hand.

He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Ramonda Swindell of Le Mars; four sons Rollin and his wife Diana of Merrill, Rodney of Le Mars, Randy of Le Mars, Ronald and his wife Barb of Sioux City, and a daughter Robin Barreras and her husband Chad of Le Mars; 22 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jerry Rann and his wife Ruth of Oyens; a niece, Jacqueline Benstead and her husband Byron of rural Le Mars; three nephews, Jason Rann and his wife Jeanine of Kansas City, Mo., Jami Rann and his wife Tina of Kansas City, Mo., and Bryan VanDerWilt of Los Angeles, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson Kelly Swindell; and a son-in-law Michael Swindell.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home of Le Mars. The Rev. Gary Landsness of St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars with a luncheon to follow at the Mauer - Johnson Family Gathering Room. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home. The family will be present from 6 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the funeral home prior to the funeral service.