Robert J. "Bob" Happel, 1918 - 2005

HAPPEL, BENNETT

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/26/2017 at 15:22:04

Sioux City Journal
13 September 2005

LAWTON, Iowa -- Robert J. "Bob" Happel, 86, of Lawton died Friday, Sept. 9, 2005, at Sunrise Retirement Community in Sioux City.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. today at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moville, Iowa, with the Rev. Michael Kroona officiating. Burial will be in Arlington Township Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Christy-Smith McCulloch Chapel in Moville.

Robert was born Sept. 12, 1918, in Thurston County, Neb., the son of John and Kathyrine Happel. He was raised in the Wisner, Neb., area and attended school at Altona, Neb.

He married the love of his life, Glovana Marie Bennett, on Aug. 25, 1938, at Marionville, Mo. They celebrated 67 years of marriage. Bob farmed in Iowa and Nebraska until he went into the insurance business. He became the agency manager of Dixon Co. Farm Bureau Insurance. He later became the agency manager for Woodbury Co. Farm Bureau Insurance, and the family moved to Moville in August of 1956. A few years later, he joined Life Investors Insurance and became the agency manager until his retirement.

Bob was a Sunday school teacher for many years, both at Allen, Neb., and Moville, Iowa. He was past president of the church council. He was also on the board that set up Moville senior housing. Bob enjoyed golfing, hunting and camping. Bob and Glo took many trips, and they especially loved sightseeing around the countryside.

Bob and Glo had moved to Char-Mac Assisted Living at Lawton three years ago. They really loved the friendships and staff there.

Survivors include his wife, Glovana of Lawton; three children, Gloria (Jim) Bergherr of Alexandria, Minn., Jerald (Sherry) Happel of Westminster, Colo. and Jan (John) Harris of Monument, Colo.; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Adams of Lacrosse, Wis. and Myrt (Con) Hanson of Grand Rapids, Minn.; a brother, Darel (Betty) Happel of Bemidji, Minn.; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Wendy Rumohr; and a son-in-law, Daryl Rumohr.

Memorials are preferred to the Moville Area Community Center or Trinity Lutheran Church.