Yackley, Robert John

Robert John Yackley, 87, of Hopkinton, died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, peacefully in the presence of family at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester. Funeral services will be held 10:30 Saturday morning, Feb. 11, at St. Luke's Catholic Church, Hopkinton, with interment in Hopkinton Cemetery. Friends may call after 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello, is in charge of the arrangements. Father John Kremer will officiate at the services.

Surviving are five children, Nick (Linda), Yackley, Thomas Yackley, Ann (Charlie) Determan, Roberta “Robbie” (Jim) Douglas and Mary (Mark) Ries; 13 grandchildren, Kyle, Melissa, Ben, Ashleigh, Janelle, Adrienne, Andrew, Adam, A.J., Emily, Kenzie, Robert and Emerson; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ruthie Palczynski.

Bob was preceded in death by the love of his life, Erma; his parents, Peter and Ruth; two brothers, Jim and Ed; and a sister, Marie.

Robert was born April 8, 1924, in Sioux City, Iowa. On Aug. 8, 1942, Erma J. Welter and Robert J. Yackley were married at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in New Market, Minn. Robert “Bob” that's with one O, was self-employed, owning a grocery store in New Prague, Minn., Bob and Chets Jack & Jill in Davenport and Pat's Jack & Jill in Hopkinton.

Bob served in the United States Navy during World War II, spending most of his enlisted time on the USS Rocky Mount. He was a member of the American Legion, St. Luke's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

He very much enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, fishing, and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, Cubs and Bears and listening to polka music.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at

Published Feb. 9, 2012 in The Gazette