Robert Luitjens

     Robert “Bob” Luitjens, age 89 of Windom, MN formerly of George, Iowa, died Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Society in Windom, MN.

     Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George.

    Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George, IA with Rev. Kenneth Eberline, officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George, IA.

     Robert "Bob" Lee Luitjens was born July 4, 1935, in Little Rock, Iowa, the son of William and Anna (Van Gelderen) Luitjens. Bob grew up and attended school in Little Rock and graduated from Little Rock High School in 1953. Through his high school years Bob worked at the Little Rock lumberyard and also after graduation. In 1958 he was drafted into the United States Army, stationed most of the time in Germany and then returned back to Little Rock in 1960. Shortly afterwards he began working at Page Lumber in Kingsley, Iowa. On April 8, 1961 he was united in marriage to Joan Rypkema in George, Iowa, at Lyon County First Presbyterian church. Bob and Joan made their home in Kingsley and they were blessed with two boys, Joel and Neal. In 1974 Bob and Joan moved the family to George, Iowa, where Bob began managing the George Coop Lumberyard. Bob retired from the lumberyard in 1990. He then kept busy doing odd jobs including lawn mowing, painting and small home repairs for others. Over the years Bob was a loving husband and father. He greatly enjoyed fishing every Saturday with his dad and his boys. In the summer months Bob worked in his garden, growing all kinds of vegetables and sold produce from his driveway and sold sweet corn at the Hwy. 9/60 corner. Woodworking was a huge hobby for Bob. Through the years he made many projects from doll house furniture, nativity sets, trivets, picture frames, a wagon, bird houses, fireplace mantels to cabinets and a corner hutch. Bob worked hard and could figure out any problem or make anything from scratch. Over their 63 years of marriage Bob and Joan enjoyed attending grandchildren's event, traveling in the U.S. with winter trips to Texas, spent time at Neal's cottage in Wisconsin and for many years played cards with close friends and always enjoyed going out for pizza. Bob was an active member in the Ebenezer Presbyterian church in George serving as elder, deacon and helped lead numerous repair projects. January of 2022 Bob and Joan moved to Windom, Minnesota, into Good Samaritan Society -- Remick Ridge Estates, an elderly independent living apartment complex. On February 29, 2024 Bob entered the Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Windom. God called Bob to his heavenly home on Sunday, February 2 at the age of 89 with Joan, Joel and Neal by his side.

     Bob is survived by his wife, Joan Luitjens of Windom, Minnesota; his sons, Joel (Dawn) Luitjens of Windom and Neal (Cary) Luitjens of Little Chute, Wisconsin; five grandchildren, Megan (Eric) Mathiowetz, Abby (Spenser) Kipfer, Nathan (Kaitie) Luitjens, Benjamin (Abby) Luitjens, Sara (Dustin) Brochtrup; six great grandchildren, Ava, Cora, Payton, Kasen, Hadley, Eliza. He is also survived by his sister, Wilma Hatting of Sibley, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Edward (Alice) Rypkema of Lincoln, Nebraska and Norman (Lori) Rypkema of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

     Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ercell Marco; brothers-in-law, Bob Marco and Donald Rypkema; sister-in-law, Mavis Rypkema.