Obituary for Robert “Bob” Van Brocklin

Robert “Bob” Van Brocklin, 90, of Lansing, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Thornton Manor in Lansing surrounded by his family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held July 27th at 11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing. A visitation will take place prior to the service beginning at 9:00am. Following graveside services with military honors, a luncheon will take place at the New Albin Community Center.

Robert Keith Van Brocklin was born on February 26, 1934, to Dwight and Bessie (Darnell) Van Brocklin in Allamakee County, Iowa. He graduated from Lansing High School in 1951.  A master of quick wit even at an early age, Bob was voted “class clown” by his high school classmates. His uncanny ability to wiggle his ears on command likely contributed to this well-deserved title. 

Following high school, Bob joined the U.S. Army in 1954 and served for two years during the Korean War. He was stationed in England and Germany and worked in a special construction unit with the Army Corps of Engineers. Prior to joining the Army, Bob married his high school sweetheart Mary Alice Weber, on November 14, 1953. Bob and Mary Alice had one son, Joseph, who died at birth along with Mary Alice on October 23, 1954. 

Understandably, Bob was stricken with grief following the death of his young wife and son. Eventually, his heart mended well enough to make room for a new love, Kathryn Mabel Strub. Bob and Kathryn were united in marriage on November 11, 1960, in Lansing, where they built a life dedicated to raising their seven children and establishing themselves as pillars of the Lansing and New Albin communities. They were married for 61 years. 

One of Bob’s greatest attributes was loyalty, and Brennan Construction Company in Lansing benefitted from this admirable trait for more than 55 years. Bob worked as a foreman, leading and guiding teams of workers as they built bridges throughout northeast Iowa and beyond. The Brennan family and all the individuals Bob worked with over the years held a special place in his heart; they were more than friends, they were family. 

Upon his retirement, Bob fulfilled his dream by building a woodworking shop where he spent many hours building furniture for each of his children.  He also enjoyed getting outside to mow his lawn in the summer and spent endless hours working on puzzles during the winter months.

Anyone who knew Bob understood that Sunday afternoons were spent cheering on the Green Bay Packers. He loved watching all sports on television, but Bob was especially happy to personally attend the sporting events, musical productions, and other activities of his children and grandchildren. 

Each December, Bob looked forward to hunting season when friends and family traveled to his and Kathryn’s home to hunt deer on the state land surrounding their property. Mostly, though, Bob enjoyed what happened after the hunt when everyone gathered around the kitchen table – talking, laughing, and enjoying Kathryn’s delicious chili.  

To know Bob Van Brocklin was a privilege and a gift. Every time he saw you, Bob made you feel like you were exactly the person he was happiest to see. He always greeted family and friends with either a hug or a handshake, and goodbyes were often accompanied with sage words of wisdom. Getting through a crowd with Bob was never a quick affair because his circle of friends and acquaintances was vast. 

Left to cherish Bob’s memory are his children: Laurie (Kirk Ellefson) of Lansing, IA; Diane (Dennis) Johnson of LaCrescent, MN; Daryl (Shireen) of Woodbury, MN; Craig (Paula) of Boone, IA; Eric (Ann) of Bloomington, MN; and Gina (widow of Ronald) of La Crosse, WI; his grandchildren, Reece, Cory, Amanda, Alex, Brandon, Derek, Rachel, Eliza, Zarah, Megan, Jacob, Grace, Laura, and Sam; his great grandchildren: Jason, Christian, London, Savanah, Rowan, Jude, Sophie, Isaac, Fielder, Grady, Hazel, and Hudson; and his step brother Joe Van Brocklin.

Those who joyfully awaited Bob’s arrival in heaven included his parents; wives Mary Alice and Kathryn; sons Joseph, Kenneth, and Ronald; siblings Clarence, Ervin, Ray, Ada Boltz, Florence McKee, Phyllis Hammel, and Joyce Shogren; stepmother Dorothy; and stepbrother Paul.

Memorial donations in memory of Bob will be made to the New Albin and Lansing Volunteer Ambulance Service.