Robert Eppens, 86

March 2, 1933 —

March 28, 2019

 

Decorah - Robert Lawrence Eppens, age 86, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on March 28, 2019, at Wellington Place in Decorah due to complications from a broken hip.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at First United Methodist Church, Decorah, with Rev. Hyeunmee Kang officiating. Burial will be in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah, with Military Honors provided by Decorah’s veterans and military organizations, and U.S. Air Force personnel. 

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, with Masonic rights given at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Visitation will continue on Wednesday after 10 a.m., one hour before services, at the church. 

Bob was born on March 2, 1933, to Robert Paul Eppens and Florence (Lawrence) Eppens in Calmar, Iowa. He graduated from Calmar High School in 1951.  He joined the Air Force in 1952 and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas for Basic Training and served as an Air Policeman at Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, N.Y., then Newfoundland, Canada, and Colville, Wash. during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1956.

Bob married Rosalyn McIntire, daughter of Lenn McIntire and Margaret (Vine) McIntire, on Jan. 18, 1953 at the Congregational Church in Decorah. They were blessed with five children and celebrated 66 years of marriage together.

Following his discharge from the Air Force in 1956, Bob went into business with his brother-in-law, Charles Ohlert, starting Chuck and Bob’s Milling Service in Calmar. He was later acting Post Master in Calmar for a year-and-a-half. He then became a police officer in Decorah for 30 years, retiring from the force in March 1995.

Bob was the American Legion Commander in Calmar and was a member of the VFW, Lions Club and Commercial Club, as well as a member of the Great Lights Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. He was a very active member in the Methodist Church in Calmar and the Congregational Church in Decorah.  In 1994, Bob and Rosie joined the Methodist Church in Decorah.

Following his retirement, he enjoyed working with his lathe, making wooden bowls and lamps, photography, gardening and going for drives.

Bob is survived by his wife, Rosalyn of Decorah; his five children, Larry Eppens of Minneapolis, Minn., Bob (Tammy) Eppens of Ogden, Utah, Linda (Jeff) Rodman of Sioux Falls, S.D., Kevin Eppens of Ankeny, Iowa and Lori Ernest of Chicago; grandchildren, Ashleigh (Billy) Haas, David (Suzy) Eppens, Ben Rodman, Jon Rodman, Emily Eppens, Elissa (fiancé Evan Koehler) Eppens and Nicole Eppens; great-grandchildren, William Haas, Jane Haas, Eliza Eppens and Lily Eppens; brother, Richard Eppens of Calmar; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Florence Eppens and his sisters, Edna Mae (Charles) Ohlert and Faye (Donald) Brandt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice or a charity of your choice.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.fjelstul.com.