February 18, 1951 - March 25, 2023
Robert “Bob” Hildman, age 72 of Algona, passed away Saturday, March 25, 2023, at MercyOne of North Iowa Hospital in Mason City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Divine Mercy Catholic Parish - St. Cecelia in Algona. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Algona. Visitation was held on Wednesday, March 29 from 5 until 7 p.m. at Lentz Funeral Home in Algona with a Rosary held prior to the visitation at 4:45 p.m. at Lentz Funeral Home in Algona. Services have been entrusted to Lentz Funeral Home of Algona.
Robert Edward Hildman, son of Irwin and Helen (Ramus) Hildman, was born on Feb. 18, 1951, in Algona. Bob graduated from Bishop Garrigan High School in 1969. He continued his education at Iowa Lakes Community College. On July 28, 1973, Bob was united in marriage to Joann Marie Hrubes at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wesley. Together they raised three children; Melissa, Cheri and Jeremy.
In the early years of Bob’s career, he worked at Kossuth Motors as a mechanic and for Chuck Behr RV Farms. He was then employed by the Iowa Department of Transportation for 30 years until he retired in 2010 to live life to the fullest.
Bob was an active member of the St. Cecelia Catholic Church. He cherished his beloved wife and family and thrived on the time he spent with all of them. It came with great pleasure that his wife was always by his side in everything they did, including creating memories on family vacations and casino trips together.
He adored his grandkids, taking pride in supporting their many activities and achievements. He treasured sharing his passion for hunting and fishing with each one of them.
Bob appreciated daily coffee with the guys, was always up for a good game of cards, and spent ample time gardening and perfecting his lawn. He relished providing his excellent cooking, grilling, and infamous fish fries for those he loved. He also stayed active tinkering and focused on completing endless tasks at his children’s homes.
Bob contended with sarcoidosis for years, fighting ups and downs in the progression of the disease. With immense sadness, an acute respiratory infection in most recent days has taken him to heaven due to his compromised immunity.
To know Bob is to love him and it comes as no surprise that he is valued, celebrated and honored for leaving behind a legacy of greatness. Bob knew no stranger; he was a skilled talker, who entertained with his many stories, some he told on repeat, yet we listened because he earned our respect. He was the core of laughter within his family and any audience in his presence. He amused us with his quick-wit, occasional shenanigans and his great sense of humor. And although cracking jokes were plentiful from Bob, he was collective, steady and unwavering in love, joy, and happiness toward others.
Left to cherish Bob’s memory are his wife of almost 50 years: Joann of Algona; children: Melissa (Brian) Berte of Bancroft and their children: Caden, Avery and Kegan, Cheri Goche of Ankeny and her children: Tayton and Brynlie, and Jeremy (Sarah) Hildman of Iowa Falls; siblings: Sharon (Richard) Hill of Humboldt, Larry (Sylvia) Hildman of Wesley and Diane (Lloyd) Brandt of Algona; brother-in-law: Brian (Kay) Hrubes of Ocala, Fla.; sisters-in-law: Denise (Keith) Riley of Cherokee and Wanda (Michael) Casper of Elkader; six step-siblings and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members. He was preceded in death by his parents: Irwin and Helen Hildman; father and mother-in-law: William and Ruth Hrubes; step-father-in-law: Howard Meyers and sister-in-law: Wilma Bassoff.