March 20, 1926 - April 5, 2023
Robert “Bob” Riedel, 97, of Algona, died Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Homestead Assisted Living and Memory Care in Algona. A funeral service will be held Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona at 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place at East Lawn Cemetery with military honors conducted by the American Legion Hagg-Turner Post #90, the V.F.W. Howard D. Omdahl Post #2541 and the Iowa National Honor Guard. A visitation will be held on Thursday one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of the Heartland or the Camp Algona POW Museum. Online condolences may be left at www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.
Robert Carl Riedel, son of Arthur and Matilda (Schmidt) Riedel, was born March 20, 1926, in rural Lone Rock. He was baptized in Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Lotts Creek on April 15, 1926. Robert “Bob” grew up on a farm northwest of Fenton. He was confirmed May 25, 1939, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fenton and graduated from Fenton High School on May 11, 1943. Bob served in the Army Air Corps Engineers in WWII. Upon returning home from the service in 1946 he worked at Wiedenhoff and Pioneer Hi-Bred in Algona. On Oct. 16, 1949, he married Dolores De Groote of Corwith at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. They were parents of three children: Connie, Judy and James. The family hosted a foreign exchange student from Sweden during James’ senior year of high school. Bob owned and operated the DX Service Station in Bode from 1950 to 1957, then owned and operated Algona Bowling Lanes. He also sold radio advertising for KLGA from 1963 to 1968, then bought the A & W restaurant which he and his wife operated for 10 years. Bob began selling real estate until his semi-retirement in the 2000s. He drove cars for Motor Inn for several years. Bob was a lifetime member of the American Legion and served 18 years as Commander. He received special recognition in 2021 for achieving 75 years of membership. Bob was a Charter President of the Golden K Kiwanis Club which started in 1979 and remained an active member. He served on the Board of Elders, was financial secretary and was an usher at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. Bob was faithful in delivering Meals on Wheels for 25 plus years. He served on the North Iowa Housing Authority for the City of Algona for five years, Board of Adjustment for 30 years, and Airport Commission for 12 years. Bob also attended the Classic Stop Coffee Club since 1963. A favorite hobby was flying and he was an active pilot for 40 years, earning an instrument rating. Other interests included fishing, golfing, gardening and bowling.
Survivors include Bob and Dee’s children Connie (Mark) Sams of River Falls, Wis. and Judy (Henry) Erk of Louisville, Ky.; grandchildren Allison (Jonathan) Edwards of West Hartford, Conn., Sheila Erk of Louisville, Ky., Jordan (Ashley) Erk of Louisville, Ky., and Paige (Robert) Sams-Secrest of Stillwater, Minn.; great- grandchildren Hadley and Oliver Edwards, Bristol and Calvin Secrest, and Charlotte Erk; and sisters Lorraine Divis and Verdell Leek. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 72 years, Dee, in 2021, and son James Riedel in 2022.