Cremer, Robert Charles 1920 - 2020
CREMER, NOCKELS, HAFLA, WALRATH, LAZEAR, CULLINS, PHALEN, HARTFORD, JONES
Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:45
Robert Charles Cremer, age 100 years, 7 months and 18 days, died in his home Thursday Oct 8th 2020. He was born Feb 20, 1920 in Calmar, Iowa, the first son of Charles and Emma (Nockels) Cremer.
Raised on a small farm north of Plevna, he attended and graduated from Plevna schools. A drought and depression caused the family to lease the farm and move to Miles City. There, Robert attended the Montana Business Institute. His first job was at the Farm and Home Appliance store. His salary was $10.00 a week. He was asked to come back to the Business Institute to help teach business courses. This salary was $60.00 per month. When the owner of The Business Institute died and the school closed, he then went to work for Cliff White at the Beacon Oil Co. on Feb 1st 1939. He was 18 years old. On June 21, 1941, he married Agnes Katherine Hafla at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 7:30 in the morning. The officiant was Msgr. Thomas Hennessey. In 2014 they were recognized as Montana’s longest married couple. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in June 2016 and were married for a total of 79 years.
At the outset of WWII, Bob volunteered for the United Army Air Fforce in June 1942. He was trained as a Bombardier Navigator. Upon graduation he was assigned to the 408th Bomb Squadron, 22nd Bomb Group of the US 5th Air Force, serving in the South Pacific. He flew 62 missions in B25s and B24s. When the war was over, he returned to his job at Beacon Carter Service and W&S Propane companies. He purchased both businesses in 1982 and retired in 1996.
Bob was Montana Director to the National LP Gas Association and served on many committees for the oil and propane industry. He was a dedicated blood donor, a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and the Rotary Club. He served on the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish Council and Round Table and was a strong supporter of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish and Sacred Heart School.
Bob and Agnes had five children: Sheila (Ross) Walrath, Robert (Kären) Cremer, Chuck (Jeanette) Cremer, Craig (Dannette) Cremer and Marc (Mary) Cremer. He is survived by his faithful wife of 79 years, Agnes and his five children and his grandchildren, Lara (Gus) Lazear, Lisa (Doug) Cullins, Scott (Jessica) Walrath, Christa (Rusty) Phalen, Jenny (Tim) Giles, Bobby (Brittany) Cremer, Kevin (Theresa) Cremer, Ryan (Holly) Cremer, Corey Cremer, Danielle Cremer, Jessica (Alex) Hartford, Joe, Amy and Sarah Cremer, 21 great grandchildren and two nieces Catherine (Dennis) Jones and Carol Cremer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his only sibling Donald, his nephew Don, and his only son-in-law Bruce Ross Walrath.
Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday Oct. 15th from 4-6 pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Rosary will follow in the church at 6 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Friday Oct. 16th. Masks will be required at the visitation, rosary and mass. Burial will follow at Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery. Due to COVID 19 there will be no public reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Miles City Sacred Heart School.
Robert’s favorite saying to his family was: “It’s good to be together!”
Reader Int
Submitted by Linus Cremer
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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