Garrelts, Robert E.

Robert E. Garrelts, 80, of Independence, died Sunday evening, May 1, 2011, at East Towne Care Center, Independence.

Bob was born on Dec. 2, 1930, in Charles City, Iowa, the son of Edward H. and Annetta (Evans) Garrelts, he moved with his family to the Gilbertville and Jesup area and graduated from Jesup High School. He was married to Donna E. Kremer on May 1, 1952 in Independence, where the couple made their home. Bob owned and operated the Garrelts Garage in Independence from 1964 until 1978 following which he was employed with Dunlap Auto and VanDenBerg Chevrolet, until his retirement in 1986.

He is survived by a daughter, Susan Garrelts of Minneapolis, Minn.; a son, David (Patty) Garrelts of Mount Vernon; and three grandchildren, Colin Garrelts, Ashley Garrelts and Nicholas Garrelts.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Donna E. Garrelts on Feb. 2, 2009; a son, James Alan Garrelts in 1952; and a brother, Glen Garrelts.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence, with the Rev. Bob Solon officiating. Burial will be held in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Independence. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

For more information and to leave an online condolence, please go to under obituaries.