Robert Weidler

Robert 'Bob' Weidler, age 77 of New Hampton, Iowa died Friday March 1, 2013, at his home, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 7, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hampton with Pastor Kevin Frey presiding. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Fredericksburg with Kirk Weidler, Duane Lewis, Dean Speicher, Virgil Warnke, Roger Pleggenkuhle and Todd Elliott as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Shurtleff, Harvey Drewelow, Max Steege, Gerald Johnson, Arlie Severson, John Woodring, Charles Turner, Terry Wilbourn, John White, Jerry Weidler, Dr. Don Wiedler, Al Snyder and Frank Utley. Full military honors will be provided by the Fredericksburg AMVETS. Friends may greet the family 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Robert “Bob” Weidler was born October 24, 1935, in New Hampton, Iowa the son of Martin and Mary (Romig) Weidler. He was baptized into the Lutheran Faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Boyd, IA, where he was also confirmed. He received his education in New Hampton and was a 1954 graduate of the New Hampton High School. While in school he played football, but he excelled the most at track. He was also in 4H and belonged to the FFA. After high school, he joined the United States Army and was stationed at Swineford, Germany. He received a good conduct medal and was honorably discharged after two years of service. After returning home from the service, Bob was attending a basketball game in Fredericksburg and noticed a twelfth grade player named, Lorraine Winter. After their first date of dancing at the Starlite Ballroom in Lawler, they continued dating through that fall and winter before becoming engaged on February 14, 1958. On a very hot summer Sunday, August 10, 1958, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church-Richfield, rural Sumner, IA, he married the love of his life, Lorraine Winter. That following Monday night they held a dance for their family and friends. Love was large but money was tight, so for their honeymoon the couple went camping at Yellowstone National Park. Upon returning from their get-a-way, they moved into the acreage they are still living at today. They began buying farmland from Bob’s father and were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Debbie in April of 1961 and Kathy in April of 1963. During the first years of their marriage, Bob worked many jobs to support his family and earn extra money to begin buying his farm. He hauled can milk for the Farmers Butter and Dairy Co. and also during that same time period he hauled hogs for the Lawler Hog Buying Station. Shortly there after he was hauling cheese and bulk milk for Meinerts Creamery. He also raised a large amount of Capons. In 1981, Bob and Lorraine's farm house burnt to the ground with all of their belongings inside. Saddest of all was the loss of their precious pictures. With the help of friends and family they were able to duplicate some of the originals that had been given away. They rebuilt their new house in the fall and winter of 1981. It was during the farm crisis and with their house insurance falling short and the price of crops so low they were forced to give up some of the land they were buying. Bob, however, was a wonderful money manager and with hard work, along with scrimping and saving their money, they were able to buy back their land and purchase more equipment one piece at a time. Before long they even purchased the farm that adjoined theirs and had the accomplishment of all their land being tiled. Bob and Lorraine, along with their family, loved to fish. In the early years the couple traveled to the Twin Lakes Lodge in Manoga, MN and later headed up to Canada, mostly going to “Jim’s Cavier Camp” when vacationing. The only way to get there was by boat, but the fishing was incredible and well worth it. Bob never failed to provide them with a wonderful shore lunch. He also loved duck and pheasant hunting and was a founding member of the local Pheasants Forever. In 2001 the couple decided to take a “second honeymoon” to St. Martin in the Caribbean. It was love at first site, becoming a yearly ritual with many friends. They arrived the first time knowing not a soul, and by their 50th Anniversary they had a party in St. Martin for over 50 of their 'Martin' friends from all over the United States, England and around the world. Bob retired in 2001 and rented out his land to spend more time with his family. He finally was able to spend time woodworking, enjoying making Adirondack chairs and benches. He even built a woodworking shop to hold all his tools in the garage. After retirement, Bob and Lorraine also bought a place within a resort in Florida. They would travel there in October, come home for the holidays, and then head to St. Martin. They made many lifelong friends that they still keep in touch with today. Upon hearing of Bob’s death, the resort flew their flag at half mast to honor their good friend. Bob was very active in the St. John Lutheran Church of Boyd before it's closing. From shoveling snow to ushering, it did not matter, he did what was needed. The couple even mowed the church cemetery for over 20 years. They also were proud to be active in the Lutheran Brotherhood Organization now known as Thrivent, for over 10 years. Bob had a love for animals. His tender heart would show when he drove to town or headed out hunting with his beloved dog, Daisy. When they were both young, she was a constant companion for him. In the last months of his life, he convinced Lorraine to take in another stray young cat. They became fast friends and Tippy did not leave his side until the day he died. Bob and Lorraine discovered that all their hard work and saving during the younger years, meant enjoying life and traveling more when they were older. Bob was always a good money manager, especially with the markets. He was a wonderful provider, sacrificing for his family and saving for their retirement. The couple had many times when they felt the odds were overwhelming, but later realized the 'footprints in the sand' were the times they were being carried. Bob and Lorraine spent their time side by side, raising their kids, working the farm, and traveling in retirement. Most of all they were best friends. Bob is survived by his best friend and wife of 54 years, Lorraine; two daughters, Debbie Weidler and Kathy Weidler, both of New Hampton; one sister, Karen (Al) Snyder of Des Moines; a sister-in-law, Joanne Weidler-Hempel (Donald) of Omaha, NE; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Keith Weidler.