Robert B. Mehrer 1935 - 2005

MEHRER, PAPKA

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/20/2013 at 20:00:00

Sioux City Journal
10 November 2005

Robert B. Mehrer, 68, of Sioux City died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005, at home with his family at his side following a courageous battle with cancer. With his wishes, cremation has taken place.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Calvary Lutheran Church with the Rev. David Schoop officiating. Private interment will be in Banner Township Cemetery at Lawton, Iowa. Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Robert B. Mehrer was born Dec. 28, 1935, in Yankton County, South Dakota, to Ben and Matilda Mehrer. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He graduated from Scotland High School in 1954. He married Ramona M. Papka on Sept. 1, 1957, in Watertown, S.D.

He worked as a lineman for A & H construction, where he traveled throughout the midwest. He also drove transport truck for Dan Dugan and Sun Oil Company. Bob purchased his own transport and leased to Terra Express and later Jebro. In 1971, they moved to a farm east of Sioux City where they raised cattle and hogs. Bob retired in 2000.

He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church for 40 years and served as president and vice president of the congregation, along with being an elder and an usher. Bob enjoyed gardening, fishing, wintering in Arizona and playing cards with friends.

Survivors include his wife Ramona of 48 years; one daughter and her husband, Rhonda and Randy Townley, Marion, Iowa; one son and his wife, Mark and Ann Mehrer, Hinton, Iowa; five grandchildren, Melissa and Jessica Townley, Michael, Joseph and Morgan Mehrer; two brothers: Harlan and his wife, Shirley Mehrer, Minnesota, and William Mehrer, Chicago; sister-in-law, Darlene Mehrer, Troy, Mich.; sister-in-law and her husband, Audrey and Bud Luken, Watertown, S.D., and stepmother, Tillie Mehrer, Yankton, S.D.; several nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ken Mehrer; a grandson, Luke Mehrer; his father and mother-in-law, Virgil and Ethel Papka; sisters-in-law, Doris Hubbard and Darlene Mehrer.

Honorary pallbearers will be his five grandchildren.