Robert Gean AVERY

AVERY, FISCHER, TUDOR, LONTKOWSKI

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/5/2008 at 11:34:21

ROWAN - Robert "Bob" G. Avery, 77, of Rowan passed away Monday (June 2, 2008) in the hospice unit of the Wright Medical Center in Clarion. Funeral services for Bob will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 6, at the United Church of Rowan in Rowan with Pastor Nancy Hofmeister officiating. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery near Rowan. Military rites will be provided by the Rowan American Legion. Visitation for Bob Avery will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today, June 5, at the Dugger Funeral Home, 111 Luick's Lane S., Belmond, and one hour prior to services on Friday at the church.

Robert Gean Avery, the son of John and Eva (Fischer) Avery, was born on April 23, 1931, in Miller, S.D. His family moved to the Eagle Grove area when he was a young boy. He attended country school and the Eagle Grove school until his family moved to Rowan in his freshman year of high school. Bob graduated from the Rowan High School in the class of 1949. He and Anna Mae (Annie) Tudor were married at the Little Brown Church on Jan. 6, 1952. Prior to his induction into the Army in March of 1952, he worked for the railroad and various farmers in the area. Bob was particularly proud of his service to his country, including a year-long deployment to Korea, where he served as a military policeman. He was honorably discharged in March 1954 and returned to the Rowan community where he lived for the rest of his life. With help from their parents, Bob and Annie began farming in 1954 on rented land north of town. Bob was proud of his success at farming and he and Annie farmed until ill health forced him to retire in 1989. During retirement they enjoyed winters in Weslaco, Texas, with many friends from the Rowan area. Bob was an outdoorsman and horseman at heart and took great joy in riding and even greater joy in sharing his love of horses with his family and friends. He was an original member of the Belmond Saddle Club and a member of the Hamilton County Saddle Club. He was particularly proud of the riding skills of his grandchildren.

He was a lifelong supporter of the Rowan Community. He was a member of the Rowan Legion and the Rowan's Lion Club. He served for years as guardian of the sausages at the Lion's all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts. He was one of the originators of the Rowan Endowment fund. Bob rarely sat still and took his hobbies as seriously as he took his work. He was known for his clowning and trained mule, his skill as a square dance caller and amateur auctioneer, his drumming in the Aitken Hearts and Country Cousins, his decorative and humorous welding, and his love of stories, practical jokes and tall tales. Many times only the twinkle in his eye gave him away. Bob was a great role model and teacher for his family. He was especially proud and supportive of Annie and daughter-in-law Terri's musical performances.

Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years, Annie; Jim and Terri Avery of Rowan, Jack Avery and Dan Lontkowski of St. Paul, Minn.; and grandchildren Abbey, Caleb and Brogan. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister and father and mother-in-law Dillard and Luelda Tudor.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given in Bob's name to the Rowan Endowment Fund, the United Church of Rowan or Hospice of Wright County. Dugger Funeral Home.

Mason City Globe Gazette, IA
6/5/2008