Robert (Bob) Wayne Blankers, age 87, of Owatonna, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Cascade Creek Memory Care in Rochester, MN, on February 27, 2024.
A service in Hospers, IA, will be on Saturday, March 9 at the Hospers Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be at 1:00 PM followed by a 2:00 PM service with Rev. Brent Carlson officiating, refreshments will be served after the service.
Burial will be in the Hospers Cemetery, Hospers, IA, at 4:15 PM.
The Michaelson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Bob Blankers.
Robert (Bob) Wayne Blankers was born on March 8, 1936, to Laurens Jr. and Mattie (Peelen) Blankers at his grandmother’s home in Sheldon, IA. The family lived on a farm near Archer, IA. He graduated from Archer Consolidated Schools in 1954. In 1956, he graduated as a Junior Accountant from the National Business College in Sioux City, IA, where he met his wife Betty (Johnson). They were married in Ashton, IA, on June 14, 1957. While Robert and Betty lived in Canby, MN, their three children were born.
The majority of his working life Robert held manager positions at Cooperative grain elevators in the communities of Lincoln, IA, Schaller, IA, Hospers, IA, Swanton, NE, and Carpenter, IA. Prior to employment at grain elevators, he worked at Duven Music in Sioux City, IA, and was an accountant at the Canby Cooperative in Canby, MN. He ended his working years in the carpentry department at OTC in Owatonna, MN, retiring from there in 2001.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. At the age of 86, Robert proudly celebrated 75 years of continuous playing as a church organist. He was always quick to volunteer his musical keyboarding skills whenever needed at a family event or in the communities they lived. Throughout his musical career, he played for hundreds of weddings and funerals. His carpentry skills were used in the construction of many house projects and he used his DIY skills by participating in several hurricane disaster recovery trips in the South, as well as, volunteering with local community projects. Desserts were a staple to him. He never turned down a piece of chocolate cake with frosting.
Robert is survived by his children – Denise (Michael) Werner of Rochester, MN, Laura (Jon) Thom of Chaska, MN, and James (Brenda) Blankers of Hospers, IA. Grandchildren – Steven Werner, Amy Werner, Margaret Thom, Catherine Thom, Theo (Hillary) Blankers and their children Oliver and Opal, Tony (Stephanie) Blankers and their sons Melvin and Gerrit, and Jake Blankers. Brother – Don (Jane) Blankers; brothers-in-law – Virgil Johnson and Howard Johnson; sisters-in-law – Marjorie Roelofsen and Arlyce Johnson. Many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his wife Betty of 63 years, parents Laurens Jr. and Mattie Blankers; parents-in-law Mike and Dena Johnson; brothers – Laurens Arthur Blankers and George Blankers; brothers-in-law – Stanley Johnson, Douglas Johnson and Roger Roelofsen; sisters-in-laws Lois Johnson, Leila Johnson, Marilyn Johnson, Betty Cherry Blankers and LaVonne Blankers; and great grandson Kenneth Blankers.
A funeral service in Owatonna, MN, will be on Friday, March 8 at the Christ Community Covenant Church. Visitation will be at 2:30 PM followed by a 3:30 PM service with Rev. Brent Carlson officiating, lunch will be served after the service.
A second service in Hospers, IA, will be on Saturday, March 9 at the Hospers Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be at 1:00 PM followed by a 2:00 PM service with Rev. Brent Carlson officiating, refreshments will be served after the service. Burial will be in the Hospers Cemetery, Hospers, IA, at 4:15 PM.
Memorials are requested to an organization of donor’s choice that would honor Robert’s love of music or to the Owatonna Christ Community Covenant Church.
