- Born on: September 20, 1948
- Departed on: June 6, 2023
- Resided in: Wadena, IA
Robert “Bob” Joseph Lerch
Robert “Bob” Joseph Lerch passed away on Wednesday, June 6, 2023, at the age of 74, at his home with family by his side.
Bob was born in West Union on September 20, 1948 to Joseph and Viola (Martin) Lerch. He was a 1966 graduate of Valley High School and entered into the United States Navy at the age of 17. He served in the Vietnam War on the U.S.S. Satyr in the Engineering division. While there, the crew was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and Bob earned six Campaign Ribbons for his heroic service. In August 1970, he was honorably discharged and returned to Elgin. For a few years he did odd jobs before he started working for Fayette County in May of 1973 as an Operator and then as a Mechanic in the shop until he retired in 2009, after 36 ½ years of service. Throughout the years he also enjoyed doing carpentry work alongside his good friend, Ron Guyer.
In April of 1972 he married Jean Grady, to this union were born three children: Chad, Jill, and Jenny. She passed away in 1981. He was then united in marriage with Lorretta Hofer on April 26, 1986 and they welcomed three children: Christa, Cody, and Joelle.
He was a hard-working and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and watching war stories. He enjoyed “volunteering” his time helping his children with their home renovations and helping his oldest son work on his race car. He enjoyed the simple things in life and could often be found sitting on the porch watching thunderstorms. His family will miss him dearly, especially during the holidays since no one has mastered his famous potato soup recipe.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lorretta; his children, Chad (Anita) Lerch, Jill Aylsworth, Jenny (Brian) Stolka, Christa (Brad) Glaser, Cody (Kirstin) Lerch, and Joelle (Brice) Journot; 18 grandchildren, Garrett Franklin, Ben Lerch, Mariah (Kyle) Ginther, Mikayla (Lee) Corkery, Grant and Drew Stolka, Tucker, Zaylee, and Ada Glaser, Avery, Loxley, Declan, Tierney, and Sullivan Lerch, Caedrin, Olivia, Annabelle, and Ethan Journot; great-grandchildren, Maevyn Corkery and Kian Franzen and baby Ginther due in July; his siblings, MaryAnn Amdahl, Kenny (Peg) Lerch, and Terry (Sue) Lerch; one Aunt, Maureen Cable; mother-in-law, Betty Hofer; and brother-in-law, LeRoy; special friends, Don and Heidi Butikofer; several nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. He is proceeded in death by his parents; three uncles, Giles, Jorris, and Lyle Martin; and father-in-law, Sam Hofer.
There will be a visitation Sunday, June 11th from 4-7 PM and Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, June 12th at 11:00 am, both will be at the Wadena Community Church, with Pastor Rusty Phillips officiating. There will be a light lunch served in the church basement following the funeral services Monday.
Bob was born in West Union on September 20, 1948 to Joseph and Viola (Martin) Lerch. He was a 1966 graduate of Valley High School and entered into the United States Navy at the age of 17. He served in the Vietnam War on the U.S.S. Satyr in the Engineering division. While there, the crew was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and Bob earned six Campaign Ribbons for his heroic service. In August 1970, he was honorably discharged and returned to Elgin. For a few years he did odd jobs before he started working for Fayette County in May of 1973 as an Operator and then as a Mechanic in the shop until he retired in 2009, after 36 ½ years of service. Throughout the years he also enjoyed doing carpentry work alongside his good friend, Ron Guyer.
In April of 1972 he married Jean Grady, to this union were born three children: Chad, Jill, and Jenny. She passed away in 1981. He was then united in marriage with Lorretta Hofer on April 26, 1986 and they welcomed three children: Christa, Cody, and Joelle.
He was a hard-working and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and watching war stories. He enjoyed “volunteering” his time helping his children with their home renovations and helping his oldest son work on his race car. He enjoyed the simple things in life and could often be found sitting on the porch watching thunderstorms. His family will miss him dearly, especially during the holidays since no one has mastered his famous potato soup recipe.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lorretta; his children, Chad (Anita) Lerch, Jill Aylsworth, Jenny (Brian) Stolka, Christa (Brad) Glaser, Cody (Kirstin) Lerch, and Joelle (Brice) Journot; 18 grandchildren, Garrett Franklin, Ben Lerch, Mariah (Kyle) Ginther, Mikayla (Lee) Corkery, Grant and Drew Stolka, Tucker, Zaylee, and Ada Glaser, Avery, Loxley, Declan, Tierney, and Sullivan Lerch, Caedrin, Olivia, Annabelle, and Ethan Journot; great-grandchildren, Maevyn Corkery and Kian Franzen and baby Ginther due in July; his siblings, MaryAnn Amdahl, Kenny (Peg) Lerch, and Terry (Sue) Lerch; one Aunt, Maureen Cable; mother-in-law, Betty Hofer; and brother-in-law, LeRoy; special friends, Don and Heidi Butikofer; several nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. He is proceeded in death by his parents; three uncles, Giles, Jorris, and Lyle Martin; and father-in-law, Sam Hofer.
There will be a visitation Sunday, June 11th from 4-7 PM and Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, June 12th at 11:00 am, both will be at the Wadena Community Church, with Pastor Rusty Phillips officiating. There will be a light lunch served in the church basement following the funeral services Monday.
