Robert J "Bob" Biesterveld
Robert J. “Bob” Biesterveld, age 74 of Rock Falls, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at his home in Rock Falls.
Bob was born on March 26, 1939 on the family farm in the Town of Rock Creek. He was the son of William and Elizabeth (Bauer) Biesterveld. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Durand High School in 1957. Bob was drafted in to the U.S. Army in 1962 and served in Germany in the transit department. He was Honorably Discharged in 1964. When Bob returned from the Army, he worked at Jacobson’s Lawn Equipment in Racine. Bob married Patricia Pope on September 11, 1965 at St. Joseph’s in Rock Falls. After marriage, they continued to live in Racine and start their family. In 1966, Bob and his family moved to Meridean where he worked in the Pope & Talbot Paper Factory in Eau Claire and owned the Biesterveld’s Grocery Store in Meridean. In 1971, Bob and Pat moved to their current home where Bob continued to work in the paper factory and work on his hobby farm. In 2000, Bob retired from the Paper factory and continued to work on his farm the rest of his life.
Bob was an avid Packer fan and enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sporting events. He enjoyed his daily trips around the area and talking with anyone he could talk to. He liked to play music and cards, but most of all, Bob loved to spend time with his family.
Bob is survived by his wife of 48 years; Pat, four children; Jim (Linda) Graves, Dave (Sharane Trobaugh), both of Rock Falls, Alan (Sue Wayne) of Eau Claire and Kathy (Jimmy) Buse of Elk Mound, five grandchildren; Mike, Mark, Ashley, Hannah and Jordyn, one great grandson; Easten, three brothers; Bill (Rita) of Rock Falls, Doug (Kathy) of Bloomer and Roger (Julie) of Tilden, five sisters; Irma (Don) Bauer of Durand, Wilma Wittig of Eau Claire, Patricia Ulwelling of Ellsworth, Judy (Tom) Fagerland of Mondovi and Audrey Martin of Eau Galle, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter; Ann Biesterveld and one brother; Gary.