Cover photo for Robert E. Clem's Obituary
Robert E. Clem Profile Photo
1923 Robert 2008

Robert E. Clem

April 15, 1923 — November 1, 2008

Inurnment will be at the Graceland Cemetery with Military Honors by Theodore J. Martens Post #1797. Memorials may be directed to the First Christian Church or the Creston Animal Rescue Effort.
Robert Everett Clem, the son of Charles Everett and Edith Daisy (Rose) Clem, was born on April 15, 1923, at Creston, Iowa. Edith died on May 5, 1923 and he was raised by his grandparents, Sylvia and Charles Clem. Bob entered eternal rest on November 1, 2008, at the Afton Care Center, Afton, Iowa, at the age of eighty-five years, six months and twenty days.
Bob attended school in Creston and Keokuk. On April 13, 1942, he married Helen Louise Mudra at Kahoka, Missouri. He trucked for both Abbott and Cornelison trucking. Bob served in the United States Navy during World War II from November 5, 1943 until January 9, 1946. He volunteered for submarine duty and served in the South Pacific on the U.S.S. Capitaine.
After the war, Bob managed a Phillips 66 station and then worked as an electrician for Wally Lines. In 1948, he went to work for the Iowa Department of Transportation and worked there for 37 years. He was promoted to Maintenance Foreman in 1960, but after a heart attack he worked in the office the last seven years of employment prior to his retirement at age 62.
In 1966, Bob was involved in a major car accident west of Creston. Helen and Bob spent their 25th Wedding Anniversary in a Des Moines hospital while Robert had surgery to save his leg. Helen spent one and a half years taking care of him before he could return to work.
Bob enjoyed golfing, camping and gardening during his retirement years. He also enjoyed picking apples and cherries from his fruit trees for Helen to make pies. In 2006, Bob had bypass surgery and then Helen died on December 19, 2006. The last two years of his life he enjoyed some special times even as his memory started to fade:
He got to fly to Texas and tour Mike and Judys park; take a boat trip and see his Texas grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He got to go for rides with Donna, sit on their patio and enjoy the summer or watch a football game with Mike on the big screen.
He got to go out to the Windrow with David and Carolyn and hear about the deer hunting.
He enjoyed going to church with Randy and Paula on Sunday and eating at the Chinese Restaurant. He enjoyed watching the geese take off at the Hurley Creek Lake or watching the two terriers play and chase each other.
He loved his little dog Pennie and they kept each other company for many hours.
Left to cherish Bobs memory are his children: Mike (Judy) Clem, Rockport, TX; David (Carolyn) Clem, Livermore, IA; Donna (Mike) Zotz, Afton, IA; Paula (Randy) White, Creston; Eleven Grandchildren: Robyn Masso, Tracy Montgomery, Larry Clem, Matt Clem, Georgia Broske, Joe Clem, Michelle Moore, Robert Zotz, Jesse White, Kyle Bowers and Stacy Bowers; Nineteen Great-Grandchildren; and his sister, Dorothy Hyatt, Keokuk.
Preceding Bob in death were his Parents; his Wife, Helen, in 2006; his Brother-in-Law: Bill Hyatt; and his Sister: Berdine Robertson

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert E. Clem, please visit our flower store.

Guestbook

Photo Gallery

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree