SALLEE, Robert M. (1946-2021)

SALLEE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/2/2022 at 12:19:34

Robert M. Sallee
(May 5, 1946 -November 30, 2021)

Services for Robert “Bob” Sallee, 75, who passed away of natural causes on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola. Cremation will follow services.
Bob was born in Mason City, Iowa on May 5th, 1946. He attended Holy Family Elementary and Newman Catholic High School. It was at Newman Catholic where Bob met the love of his life, Sharon Ostrander. They wed in 1967 in Clear Lake and were happily married for 54 years. While Bob was never known for patience and could be a little difficult at times, he owned a heart of gold and was a great husband and father. Upon graduation from Mankato State University, Bob taught and coached in Kanawha, Iowa. He loved his time working with kids and still told many stories about his days teaching and coaching. In 1973, Bob and Sharon moved to Indianola to run a branch of Hogan’s Sporting Goods. During this time, Bob identified an unmet need in the area and ventured out on his own to start Bob’s Custom Trophies in 1978. He and Sharon met many amazing people working with local schools, racetracks, fairs, little leagues, and other organizations in the area. They operated the successful family business for over 30 years, before retiring and selling the shop in 2009. To this day, the business still carries his name and is a staple of the Indianola community.
Bob’s life revolved around the love for his family. Sons Jason (Chicago) and Matt (Hudson) gave Bob two wonderful daughters-in-law and four beautiful grandchildren. The whole family enjoyed spending time together in Clear Lake each summer boating, playing games and sharing laughs. He also loved attending his grandkid’s events and rarely missed an athletic contest. If you met Bob on the street, he would be sure to tell you how proud he was about their latest achievements.
Outside of his family, Bob enjoyed spending time with friends. As a young couple in Indianola, Bob and Sharon moved into a growing neighborhood where they met some of their greatest friends. These families grew up together and shared so many special times forming lifelong bonds. Later in life, Bob could regularly be found hanging out with friends, sharing stories and laughing over a coffee or beer. He was an avid reader, completed 1,000s of crossword puzzles, and enjoyed attending sporting events and performances at the Civic Center. He bragged often about his grand kids and was a master of making a short story long. He was a friend to everyone he met…even if he did cuss at them a bit.
Speaking of cussing, Bob was a loyal Cubs, Hawkeyes, and Vikings fan. He proudly flew the “W” flag after each and every Cubs win. You would think that after all of these years he would have figured out that the referees and umpires can’t actually hear him through the TV, but he was still trying.He was a Husband, Father, Grandfather, Sibling, Uncle, Businessman, Mentor, Teacher, Coach and Friend. He set a great example for all by working hard and doing things the right way. He will desperately be missed and we will always love him.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon Sallee; sons, Jason (Buffy) Sallee and Matt (Deanne) Sallee; grandchildren, Madison, Kylee, Isabella, Noah; siblings, Jim (Leona) Sallee and Mariann Foster. He was preceded in death by his parents Rolland and Rose Sallee and one brother-in-law John Foster of Mason City.
Visitation will be held 3 to 7 p.m., Monday, December 6, 2021 at Overton Funeral Home. Memorials may be given in his name to the Indianola Public Library. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/