Robert "Bob" Luebbert

Robert "Bob" Luebbert passed away after a brief illness on March 12, 2025. He was surrounded by his family and peacefully "went home to be with Jesus" (as he would say) just before sunrise. He was 81 years old.
Bob was born on January 10th, 1944, the first of his family to be born outside the home, to parents Ervin Albert Luebbert and Hulda Emma (Ohrenberg) Luebbert. The delivery took place at Warrensburg Clinic in Kansas City, Missouri.
When Bob was 1-year old he and his brother Albert (3) and sister Betty Jean (11) were riding on a sled behind an old farm tractor driven by their mother Hulda (34). They were on their way to get water when their mother mistakenly put the tractor in reverse instead of low gear. The other two children were able to jump to safety, but Bob was too young to take notice. The tractor had "steel lug" wheels and Bob nearly fit between them, but nearly wasn't enough and he was run over.
Doctors at the Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri were able to sew him up, but he spent the next 7-months in their care. They found that one of his kidneys was poisoning him, and with that removed he was able to fully recover.
His mother, Hulda, passed away unexpectedly on June 10th, 1947. In the years following her death Bob stayed with Fred and Hazel (Berry) Bargfrede and their children Bill, Bob, and Joyce. He came to think of them as an adoptive family. When asked about his dad, he would always talk about 'Grandpa Bargfrede,' their bond clear in his words and wistful memories. It's worth noting that while there were two "Bobby's" in the family, you could tell the older "Big" Bobby Stephens apart from younger "Little" Bobby Luebbert by "Big" Bobby's shorter stature. Yes, you read that right.
On his 17th birthday Bob had a heart attack. He was taken to Smithville Hospital where he remained for 2-weeks. They determined he would need surgery and sent him to Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. They discovered a hole the size of a quarter between the two top chambers of his heart, requiring a radical surgery for the time. They took his heart out and placed him on a heart and lung machine, repaired the hole, and put his heart back in.
The surgery was only the 3rd of its kind in the greater Kansas City area, the first of which was attributed to a 10-year old girl. As Bob was being wheeled out of the hospital that girl was being brought back in for another surgery. Seeing her come back to the hospital was scary, knowing that he might suffer a similar fate.
Fortunately, he recovered again, going on to meet and wed the love of his life Mary Jo Moyer in Overland Park, Kansas on June 23, 1962. They lived together in Liberty, Missouri, having three children Rick, Shelly, and Amy. Bob worked through the 60's and into the 70's at grocery stores, Woody's Furniture, and ultimately the Juvenile Justice Center before finally stepping into the role he felt called to, Pastor.
After graduating from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, he accepted the role of Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Glenwood, Iowa. He officially started in October of 1978, pictures of the event show a beaming Bob sporting a hobbled right foot in a bright white cast, a parting gift from his final basketball game with the boys at the JJC.
In 1987 he and Mary Jo moved to Northwood, Iowa, where he accepted the role of Pastor at Northwood Baptist Church. During his time in both Glenwood and Northwood he found community, family, and the good times he'd missed out on in his childhood. He prioritized faith in Jesus above all else, sharing the Word with all who'd listen, in that quintessential booming voice of a Southern Baptist Pastor.
He "retired" in 2010 after 32 years in service of the Lord. "Retired" is in quotes because even after the move to Jordan, Minnesota, he continued to lead Bible studies, share occasional messages at churches, and visit hospitals in the local area. It was his calling in life to minister and care for people, and it was something he managed to live out every single day.
On the rare occasions he had free time, Bob enjoyed watching old Westerns on TV, reading Louis L'Amore novels, and attending events featuring classic cars. He was known for calling out the year, make, and model of any vehicle he saw. Mostly he enjoyed being with his family, attending birthdays and events for his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and simply sitting for conversations about Jesus.
Bob is survived by his siblings Barbara Ann (Luebbert) Royer, Ray Luebbert, Mary Ann (Luebbert) Lindauer, Ruby Jean (Luebbert) Parson, Judy Mae (Luebbert) Thomsen, and Martha Ann (Luebbert) Clark, children Rick (Shari) Luebbert, Shelly (Bryan) Smith, Amy (Eric) Levine, and grandchildren Ben (Stephanie) Luebbert, Rachelle (Sean) Collins, Rob (Tammy) Luebbert, Jonathan Levine, Adam Smith, Morgan Smith, and nine great grandchildren (with one more on the way!).
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jo (Moyer) Luebbert, parents Ervin and Hulda (Ohrenberg) Luebbert, Fred and Hazel (Berry) Bargfrede, siblings Willis Luebbert, Merle Luebbert, Betty Jean (Luebbert) Meyer, Albert Luebbert, Bill Stephens, Bob Stephens, Joyce (Stephens) Eacock, and great granddaughter Katie Marie Luebbert.
A celebration of life will be held at FaithPoint Lutheran in New Prague, Minnesota, on Friday March 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM. There will be visitation starting at 10:00 AM and lunch will be served at 12:00 PM. A live stream of the event will be made available on YouTube for those unable to attend in person.
Link to the virtual service (Live at 11AM CST 3/21): https://www.youtube.com/live/HyhnIdUJbtU