Robert John ETZEN

ETZEN, OLSON, GRAFF, TINKLE, CARLSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/12/2007 at 22:33:37

Robert "Bob" J. Etzen, age 75, of Belmond, died peacefully in his sleep Thursday (Aug. 9, 2007) at his home in Belmond. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13, at the Belmond United Methodist Church. The Rev. Michael Druhl will be officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in the Madison Cemetery south of Forest City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, and continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Bob's name may direct them to the Belmond Area Food Pantry, Belmond United Methodist Church, Bob's family, or to the donor's choice.

Robert John Etzen, was born Oct. 26, 1931, on his parents' farm in rural Hayfield, Iowa, near Forest City, the son of John and Gladys (Olson) Etzen. Bob attended rural school and Forest City schools until his dad passed away in 1941. He then went to school at Crystal Lake for the last six years of his primary education, graduating with the class of 1950. During high school he was active in both baseball as a catcher and basketball. In January 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, training at Fort Riley, Kan. Bob spent time serving in Korea and Japan during the Korean conflict. His military tenure concluded in 1953 when he was honorably discharged at Camp Carson, Colo., as a sergeant first class. Bob had received numerous medals for his military service to his country. Upon return to civilian life, Bob was united in marriage to Geraldine Graff of Forest City in 1955. Their union was blessed with two sons, Lyle and Michael. Bob and Geraldine were later divorced.

During his life Bob, or "Cobby" as many might have known him, had many different occupations, including employment with several farmers in the region, a stint at Hagie Manufacturing in Clarion, driving trucks for Umthum and Ellsworth Trucking companies, owning and operating Darlene's Restaurant in Clarion for six years and managing the Belmond and Lake City golf courses for periods of time. Bob moved to Tampa, Fla., where he lived for 22 years. During his time in Florida he operated United Cab Co. Taxi Service and was contacted by and transported many celebrities and professional athletes when they were in the area. Bob also drove trucks and had been employed at a swimming facility when he was in Florida. Bob returned to Iowa to live in March 2002 to be closer to his family and had resided at the Belmond Community Retirement Apartments since that time. After returning to Belmond he had been working at Sport Cages/ T.J. Party Rentals. Throughout his life, Bob held a wide variety of interests including baseball, basketball and bowling. Bob was an avid and proficient golfer, winning many trophies and other awards in tournaments that he participated in. He was always up for a game of cribbage, enjoying the camaraderie and competition with his many friends in the local cribbage group. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching local sports events as well as professional sports. He truly enjoyed the opportunity to visit, spend time with and socialize with his countless friends and family. In more recent times, Bob looked forward to his work delivering food to those in need through the Belmond Food Pantry. All who knew him well will reflect back fondly on his pleasant personality, the gleam in his eye, and of course his knack for practical jokes. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and will leave a void in the lives of his buddies, Terry Anderson, Belmond, and Bill Kincer of Tampa, as well as his longtime friend, Nancy. Bob had been a member of the VFW, American Legion, Moose Lodge, Elk's, Belmond United Methodist Church, and belonged to various golf clubs in Iowa and Florida.

Those left to cherish the memories of Bob's life include his sons, Lyle Etzen and companion Brenda Tinkle, State Center, Iowa, Michael Etzen, Klemme; sister, Beverly (Carroll) Carlson, Owatonna, Minn.; brother, Jerry Etzen, Duncan Heights at Duncan; grandchildren, Carrie Etzen, Norwalk, Conn., Stephanie Etzen, Flagstaff, Ariz., and Tiffany, Tina, and Tonya Etzen, all of Creston; also surviving are many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Gladys. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond.

Mason City Globe Gazette, IA
8/10/2007