Robert J. Baltes

robert baltes
Robert J. Baltes, age 80 of New Hampton, IA passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family. Robert Joseph Baltes was born on March 18, 1932 to Norbert and Anna Mae (Rodamaker) Baltes in New Hampton, IA. He attended and graduated from New Hampton High School. After graduating, he attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. In 1951, Bob entered into the United States Navy serving his country during the Korean War. He received his honorable discharge in 1955 and upon his return home, Bob attended Loras College in Dubuque. On June 19, 1961 Bob was united in marriage to his sweetheart, Rose Katz at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Hampton. The couple made their home in New Hampton, where they raised their five children. Bob worked for Rath Packing Company in Waterloo for 33 years until they closed. He was ordained as a Permanent Deacon on September 21, 1986 and served as a deacon at St. Joseph’s Church, as well as working for the United States Postal Service until his retirement. In 2003, Bob was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia/Parkinsonism. He was an active member of Holy Family Parish-St. Joseph’s Center and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Bob enjoyed building and flying model airplanes with his brother, playing his ukulele, singing songs with his family and gardening. He loved trout fishing and many family vacations were spent camping in Yellowstone National Park. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Rose; their son, Damian (Sara) Baltes of New Hampton; their daughters, Rachel (Jim) Kiffel of New Hampton, Paula (Kelly) Banes of Cedar Falls, Ann (Bill Rosholt) Baltes of Middleton, WI and Jennifer (Jeremy) Erickson of New Hampton; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; his sisters, LaVonne Snider and Evelyn (Ron) Simon both of Daphne, AL, Ann Kennedy of Spokane, WA, Rosalie Owens of Lakeland, FL, Patti (Jerry) Rochford of Charles City, Debbie (David) Merrill of Mt. Vernon, IA; his brother, Jack (Virginia) Baltes of Circle Pines, MN; his stepmother, Phyllis Baltes of Dade City, FL; his brother-in-law, David O’Dowd of Charles City and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mary O’Dowd and his brothers-in-law, Bill Kennedy and Rollis Snider. Cemetery: Burial will be at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice, Holy Family Parish~St. Joseph's Center and Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc. with a 4:30pm rosary and a 6:30pm scriptural wake service at Conway-Markham Funeral Home and will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. at Holy Family Parish~St. Joseph's Center in New Hampton, IA. With Military rites provided by New Hampton American Legion Post # 38 and New Hampton VFW Post #5238.

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  1. Dear Rose and all the children and grandchildren, We want you to know you are all in our prayers at this sad time. Bob was a great person. He loved his family his church and all of us. He is at peace with our Lord.

  2. Our thoughts, prayers and sympathy are with you. What a kind, giving, and serving person Bob was!

  3. Rose & family,

    So sorry for your loss but I know Heaven is rejoicing in his arrival. May you have His peace & comfort always.

  4. Rose and Family
    We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Bob. We so enjoyed our visits with him and your family when we were neighbor’s. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult.

  5. Rose and family, May the strength of God get you
    through your time of loss. We remember the visits
    with your Dad at all of the block parties over the years.
    Dad is now at peace and in his Heavenly Kingdom.
    Merle & Karen Schwickerath

  6. Rose, Damian and Sara and Baltes family. You have our sympathy at the loss of Bob. May God’s peace be with you and surround you as you celebrate his life and the fact that he is no longer suffering.

  7. Rose, Damian, Rachel, Paula, Ann, Jenny and Families:
    We are saddened with the loss of Bob but know he is in a much better place. He now met Jesus, face to face! The Kingdom of God surely gained a wonderful man and I was so blessed to have known him all my life! You are all such a strong family and I pray God will get you through your toughest days and in the years to come. Cherish the memories! “Jenny, don’t stomp!” Love you all!
    Amy, Garth, Gavin and Adam Bock

  8. Thinking of your family. Sorry for your loss. So happy to hear he is in heaven and flying/fishing with Jesus.

  9. To the Baltes family – I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. I have fond memories of the neighborhood and I will always remember growing up playing in and around your house. Bob was a good man and he will be missed. RIP Bob

  10. To the Baltes Family; So sorry for your lose Bob. Thoughts and prayers to you all.

  11. We are truly sorry for your loss. You have been such a dedicated and loving caregiver and know the L:ord will help you through this difficult time. We remember Bob as the fun loving guy in the sailor suit that used to spend weekends with us in National City. Wish we could be with you at this time but will not able to make. Our sincere sympathy to you and your family. Dee & Ernie

  12. Bob Baltes Family:

    We are saddened to hear of Bob’s passing, but are full of fond memories as neighbors raising our children together.

    Bob and Rose were two of the best parents children could have and all 5 kids have grown into adults and parents themselves that Bob and Rose could be very proud of. Bob and Rose were and continue to be some of the nicest people and neighbors anywhere.

    You are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Dan and Kathy Feuling

  13. Damian, Rachel, Paula and all – I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. My parents always enjoyed visiting with Bob and Rose. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
    Ann

  14. Damian, Sara, & family, I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the phrase “…he was a good guy” as word has spread of your dad’s passing. I can imagine that when he met St. Peter at the gate he was told “I heard you were a good guy, come on in.” My thoughts and prayers are with you. Nancy

  15. Know that our sympathy, thoughts, and prayers are with you, Rose, and your family. God Bless.

  16. May all who loved Robert so much in life know that he is now at peace. You are all being held in prayer at this time of loss.

  17. My prayers are with all who morn the loss of Robert Baltes. I never meet him, but through his daughter, Ann, I’m grateful I was given a glimpse of the great human being he was. I know he was great not just because of the way Ann talks about her father, but also because of the lovely, caring person he helped raise her to be. May the love of God, family, and friends surround you and hold you, now and always.

  18. Our Deepest Sympathy to you Rose and your family.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Jim & Lois

  19. Rose & Family,
    Thinking of you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in knowing he is with our lord.
    Kari

  20. Rose,
    It was a joy over the last 45 or so years watching you and Bob raise your family. What nice people they’ve become.
    Our thoughts to you and the whole family for your loss.

  21. Damian, Sara, Brianna,Bryant Rose and Family. I am sorry to hear of the passing of Bob. He was a great person and I will always have fond memories of singing in the Choir with him. He will be missed by all. May your memories of him comfort you in this time. May God wrap his arms around your family. God took a great man to be a Guardian Angel for many. RIP Bob. Wendy(Snyder) Finan

  22. Please accept our sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. This is one of the most difficult things we must face in our life. May it comfort you to know that others are deeply touched by your loss. God assures us at Psalms 34:18 that he is near to those broken in heart and those crushed in spirit he saves. Jesus also promises that we will be able to see our loved ones again. Jesus own words found at John 5:28,29 tells us there will be a resurrection. What a wonderful hope! God says that soon on the earth there will be no more pain, suffering and especially death at Revelation 21:3-5 We anxiously await the day when we will no longer lose those we love. May these bible thoughts bring you comfort at this most difficult time.

  23. To Aunt Rose, Damian, Rachel, Paula, Ann, Jenny and all of Uncle Bob’s family,

    We wish to extend our deepest heart felt sympathy for all of you. What a hard thing to go through, loosing such a kind and gracious person from your (and all of our) lives. But we all can rest assured that he is in a wonderful place now and can all be so very greatful that we were so bleesed to have him in and be a part of our lives.

    Uncle Bob was a gentleman in the true sense of the word, and a real true disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Our thoughts, love and prayers are with you all,
    Rob amd Suzzee Meusel

  24. To Rose and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Rose we were schoolmates and have been friends since this leaves us many memories that we will never forget. Love always – Reba

  25. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. God Bless.

  26. Rose and family,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

  27. Rose and family, Our deepest sympathies for your loss. Bob was a very caring and giving man. He is at peace now and will always watch over you from above. May your memories you cherish help you get through this sad and difficult time.
    Tom and Irene Frantzen

  28. Rose and family, you have our sympathy. Bob was such a good man. It seems like just yesterday we were best friends at St. Joe’s. I am in Maryland for my granddaughter’s First Communion, but will call you when I get home.

    You are in our prayers.

    Dick and Eileen Breitbach

  29. Rose, Damian, Rachel, Paula, Ann, Jenny and families,

    I am so sorry for the loss of Uncle Bob. He was such a wonderful Uncle to me. I remember all the fun times I spent at your house growing up. May you find peace with all your memories of him in your lives–they are now your treasures. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

    Love, Barbara Gilbert (Baltes)

  30. Rose,
    You have my deepest sympathy. Bob was such a kind man. I have many good memories of him from when I played with the choir.

  31. Rose, My Brother Tim and his wife Kathy sent me an email telling me of Bobs passing.
    Sorry to hear you lost you loved one.
    Know you are strong and will recover from this sadness. Think of you often.
    Love and hugs’
    Karla and Jerry

  32. Rose and family. I was saddened when I learned of Bob’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you during your time of loss.

  33. Damian (and family), I am really sorry for your loss. Robert was a good role model. My prayers go out to you, your mom, siblings and the Baltes relatives.

    Terry W.

  34. Dear Baltes family, we only knew Bob for such a short time but the example he has shown to all of has been wonderful. God bless.


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