Obituary of Robert Francis Heim

LUXEMBURG, IOWA Robert Francis Heim, 93, of Dubuque, Iowa, and formerly of Luxemburg and Holy Cross, died suddenly, Sunday, October 20, 2013, at Sunset Park Place, Dubuque, Iowa. Friends may call from 2:00 - 8:00p.m. Friday, October 25, 2013, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where the parish vigil service will be held at 4:00pm and the Scherrman-Peterson American Legion Post 656 will attend at 6 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 26, 2013, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Luxemburg, Iowa with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Jose Comparan will officiate. Scherrmann-Peterson American Legion Post 656 will accord Military Honors. Bob was born July 4, 1920, in Bellevue, Iowa, the son of Charles and Mary (Keenan) Heim. He graduated from St. Joseph's Catholic High School with the class of 1937. He enlisted as an aviation cadet on December 11, 1942. He was called to active duty on September 29, 1943 and was sent to the Naval Flight Prep School in Northfield, Minnesota. He was then sent to CAA-WTS at Carroll College in Helena, Montana for flight school. He logged enough hours for a private pilot's license but washed out because of poor depth perception and was sent to boot camp at San Diego, California. From there, Robert went to Aviation Mechanic Mate School NATTC in Norman, Oklahoma and then to N.A.G.S. in Jacksonville, Florida. He then was sent to the Naval Air Station in Sanford, Florida and finally to the USNAS in Hutchinson, Kansas. He received an honorable discharge on May 7, 1946. He married Bernice Catherine Roling on October 8, 1947, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bellevue. Together they raised 13 children and farmed near Luxemburg, IA for 34 years. He was one of the first to adopt early conservation farming practices. Robert was a Farm Bureau member for over 50 years and also served as Dubuque County President in 1975 - 1976. He was a member of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association for many years. Bernice preceded him in death on Oct. 7, 1985. He later married Shirley Mae Meyer Hyde on March 21, 1987, in Dubuque, Iowa. They resided in Holy Cross. She also preceded him in death on January 31, 2011. Survivors include his children: Ruth Heim of Roselle, IL, Thomas (Bev) Heim of New Albin, IA, Patricia (George) Penokie of Rochester, MN, Harold (Sherri) Heim of Manchester, IA, Alice (Dale) Roling of Dodgeville, WI, Rosalie (Russ) Sudmeier of New Vienna, IA, Brenda (Pat) Wessels of Dyersville, IA, Marvin (Laurie) Heim of Decorah, IA, George Heim of Dubuque, IA, Kenneth (Bonnie) Heim of Caledonia, MN, Frank (Michelle) Heim of Platteville, WI, Karen (Greg) Amadon of Seattle, WA, and David (Laurie) Heim of New Vienna, IA; 33 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; step-children: Shirley (Glen) Loper of Viroqua, WI, Debra (William) Dotolo, of Harrison, AR, Georgia Lindemann of Montgomery,MN, Jeanna Meyer of Lakeville, MN, daughter-in-law, Nancy Hyde of Dubuque, IA, 32 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren, 5 great, great grandchildren, sisters-in-law: Marcie Roling, Rosemary Roling, Izzy Stillmunkes, Lou (John) Merkes, Leona Roling, Helen Daugherty and a brother-in-law, Alvin Kilburg. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bernice, second wife, Shirley, a son-in-law, Bob Chabak, grandchildren: Heidi Heim, Kimberly Wessels, Robert Roling, Matt Fiala; step-children: Virgil Lee and Brian Hyde, Judith Brauer; siblings: Vincent (Elizabeth) Heim, John (Audrey) Heim, Helen (Joseph) Roling, Charles Heim; in-laws: Vincent (Mary) Roling, Art (Agnes) Roling, Raymond (Rita) Roling, Richard (Carol) Roling, Glen Roling, Orval Roling, Aloysius Roling, Stell Kilburg, Ida (Cletus) Herrig, Raymond Stillmunkes, Virginia (Bob) Deppe. Memorials are preferred and may be given to LaSalle Catholic School, Resurrection Parish of Dubuque, Albrecht Acres or Camp Courageous. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Sunset Park Place for the loving caring Dad received. A special thank you to the Resurrection Church Parish volunteers for taking dad to church services. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.