Robert Glen Reemts

Rock Rapids, Iowa                        CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVESTREAM

 Robert “Bob” G. Reemts, age 77, of Rock Rapids, IA died unexpectedly, Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Avera Merrill Pioneer Hospital in Rock Rapids.

  Visitation will be Monday, January 27th from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA.

  Funeral Service will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, January 28th at First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Pastor Steve Van Wyhe and Pastor Amy Ryals officiating. Burial will follow at Stateline Cemetery near Rock Rapids, IA. 

 Memorials may be directed to the Rock Rapids EMT Association and/or the First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids.

 Robert (Bob) Glen Reemts was born on June 26, 1947, at Vander Wilt Hospital to Eppo and Katie (Dirks) Reemts in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Even though Bob was an only child, he was always surrounded by family and friends. Bob was the type of person who could talk with anyone and had a wonderful, dry sense of humor. He lived in the house he grew up in until 2013.

  Bob graduated from Central Lyon High School in 1965. Bob was proud that he always had a job. As a young boy he often worked with his dad on the cream & egg route where he was introduced to many life-long friends and farm dogs. Bob worked for Pete Menage, Phil Kahl, his uncle Walt Dahlman, and had many lawn mowing jobs with the old-style push mower. Immediately after graduation Bob worked full time for Gordon Waagmeester, before working for Don Berg at Berg Oil Company in 1966. In 1980 he began working for the Iowa Department of Transportation until 2003 when he was able to take early retirement. After retirement, Bob worked for the City of Rock Rapids for 3 years and for the Lyon County Fair Board for 3 years. He and Marvin Petersen took care of the Mini Zoo in Island Park for many years until the beginning of 2013 when the zoo was destroyed by flood waters.

  Bob became a member of the Rock Rapids Gun Club in 1965 and continued until 2017 when health issues prevented him from shooting. He also shot trap and skeet while in high school.

  Bob truly enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening. Every fall he would head to Wyoming to hunt deer with a group of friends. He also loved to hunt deer and antelope with his cousin, Ron. One highlight was his trip to Alaska to see Ron and Jackie. There he bagged a bull moose, caribou, mountain goat, and caught Silver Salmon. Unfortunately, a bear broke into the smoke house and ate all the salmon. The locals enjoyed the moose, caribou, and goat meat and the bear must have enjoyed the fish. The moose horns, caribou antlers, and the hide of the mountain goat are still hanging in Bob’s home today. 

  Bob was very proud of his 1956 Ford, which he named Fritz. He would only drive Fritz when there was no ice, snow, or salt on the roads. Bob always said that he had to mow many miles of grass to earn enough to pay for Fritz. 

  He stayed busy working in his garage or basement shop. He loved to tinker, mow grass, read, work on Sudoku puzzles and watch Gunsmoke.

  Bob was a man of faith. His great-grandfather donated land to build the Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, also known as the Stateline Church, due to its location. When the church closed in 2000, Bob and his mom, Katie, joined First Reform Church in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Bob was proud he could say he played a part in the building of the new addition. 

  Bob was on the Rock Rapids Board of Adjustment and the Stateline Cemetery Board. He also enjoyed attending the Friday Morning Men’s Bible Study at First Reformed for many years. 

  During Heritage Days in 2012, Bob asked Karen to sit with him in church. She did, and this began their love story. They were married April 20, 2013. Bob and Karen enjoyed attending many family gatherings, watching the grandchildren participate in sporting events, cheerleading, and dance. 

  Bob’s memory is cherished by survivors: his wife, Karen; step-children, Jill (Mitch) Thompson and Mindy (Travis) Johnson; grandchildren, Taylor Thompson, Eric Thompson, and Macy Johnson; many Dirks and Reemts cousins; brothers-in-laws, Neil (Sacia) Vik and Keith (Angie) Vik; along with many nieces and nephews.

  Preceding Bob in death were his parents, Eppo (1983) and Katie (2006) Reemts; in-laws, Elmer (1993) and Marie (2014) Vik; son-in-law, Alan Broveak (2012); niece, Erica Vik (2016); and Bob’s family dog, Tiny.