Michalek, Robert

Robert Michalek, 86, of Victor, passed away Aug. 31, 2013, at Brooklyn Community Estates. A funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Victor, with the Rev. Brian Shepley officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 1 till 7 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Victor, where a rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. and a Scripture service held at 7 p.m. Interment, with military honors, will be at Calvary Cemetery in Victor.

Memorials may be directed to the Robert Michalek Memorial Fund and sent to P.O. Box 354, Victor, IA 52347.

Robert was born April 27, 1927, to Vincent and Emma Nowotny Michalek in Victor. He was raised in Victor, attended and graduated from St. John's Catholic School. He served in the United States Navy following graduation.

On May 8, 1954, he married Lorretta McDonald at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Victor. The couple was married for 59 years until her death in May 2013.

Bob was a lifetime farmer, but also served as mayor of Victor for 22 years. He held other jobs during his career with Mohr Oil Co. as tank driver and Rohrer Bros. He was active with the Victor City Council, American Legion, Knights of Columbus and a volunteer for the Victor Fire Department.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, but what he cherished most was spending time on his farm.

Robert is survived by his children, Robert J. Michalek of Overland Park, Kan., Timothy (Jileane) Michalek of DeSoto, Kan., Terry (Dawn) Michalek of Hinkley, Minn., and Sarah (Ken) Kaplan of Victor; sister, Mary Pilcher of Bettendorf; in-laws, Beradine Roushar of Cedar Rapids, Marry and Don Sumpter of Brooklyn, Katherine and Laverne Dietrich of Newton and Jeanette and Bill Holtz of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lorretta; and siblings, Charles Michalek, Lucille Crump, Margaret Masteller, Joan Walcher and Catherine Ingrassia.

Published Sept. 2, 2013 in The Gazette