John Hogfeldt

JOHN ROBERT 'BOB' HOGFELDT, 87 ROCKFORD - John Robert "Bob" Hogfeldt, 87, formerly of Rockford, passed peacefully into eternal life Monday, Feb. 25, 2013, in Prairie Home Assisted Living in Menasha, Wis. Born Nov. 19, 1925; the son of Berger and Myrtle (Nelson) Hogfeldt. Bob lived all his life in Rockford. On Sept. 4, 1947, he married Betty Ellen "Penny" Luckow of Belvidere. Bob was a graduate of Beloit College, and a member of Bethesda Evangelical Church since 1950, where he served as a deacon and on the board of trustees. Bob served his country in World War II in the Rainbow Division of the U.S. Army infantry. He was captured by the enemy on Jan. 25, 1945, and was a Prisoner of War until Sept. 12, 1945. He received a Purple Heart for injuries he received as a result of his POW internment. Bob worked at Commercial Mortgage & Finance Company for 56 years and retired at the age of 81 in 2006. He served in various roles including president for many years. In his own words, "It was there that many employees became personal friends and many friends became employees." For more than 50 years Bob was an active member of the Rockford Noon Lions Club. He was well-known for taking his birdcage up and down 7th Street collecting donations. Bob enjoyed fishing, working in the yard, vacationing with wife, Penny at Stormy Lake with his life-long friends Gorden and (late) Shirley Oberg. His 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren loved spending time with "Grandpa Ching". Bob's life affected innumerable lives with his compassion and honesty in his personal and professional dealings with others. His life leaves us with a beautiful role model to follow. He is survived by his wife, Penny; son, Jay (Cindy) Hogfeldt of Sheboygan, Wis.; daughters, Judy Hogfeldt of Lockport and Jill (John) Edwards of Appleton, Wis.; grandchildren, Nadia Lunt, Jason Hogfeldt, Matthew Hogfeldt, Gregory Hogfeldt, Sulah Buck, Treyva Estler, Vanessa Estler, Maxwell Edwards, Elise Edwards, Abby Edwards, Asher Edwards and Linnea Edwards; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Jim (Vel) Hogfeldt; and dear cousin, Garnet Johnson. Preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Sue Hogfeldt. Service at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2, in Bethesda Evangelical Covenant Church, 2101 E. State St., with visitation from 10 to 10:45 a.m.; the Rev. David Wood will officiate. Burial in Sunset Memorial Garden. Memorials may be made to Rockford Noon Lions Club, 8038 Macintosh Lane, Rockford, IL 61107. Arrangements by Olson Funeral & Cremation Services Ltd. To share a memory or condolence, visit olsonfh.com.