Boisen, Robert Lee

Robert Lee Boisen, 76, of Morton, Ill., passed away at 1:01 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, surrounded by his loving family. He courageously fought a six-month battle with lung cancer. He was a former resident of Cedar Rapids.

He was born an Iowa farm boy on July 29, 1935, in Vinton to Leo and Wilma (Gulstorf) Boisen. He married Paulee G. Uchytil on Feb. 1, 1958, at St. Ludmila's Church, Cedar Rapids. The love of his life, they are now reunited and rejoicing in Heaven.

Surviving are his loving and devoted family: three daughters, Kimberly (Jeff) Binkele of Knoxville, Ill., Therese (David) Gass and Jennifer (Tony) Huette, both of Morton, Ill.; two sons, Christopher (Renee) Boisen of Orion, Ill., and Matthew (Deb) Boisen of Tremont, Ill.; seven grandchildren, Andrew Boisen, Sara (Josh) Brodie, Justin (Jen) Boisen, Taylor and Austin Huette, Spencer and Sophia Boisen; one great-grandchild, Peyton Brodie; one sister, Kathy (Ron) Bossler of Vinton; and four brothers, Keith (Sandra) Boisen of Lawrence, Kan., Richard (Issy) Boisen of Waterloo, Steve Boisen of Ryan (sister-in-law, Rosemary Boisen of Vinton) and Kent (Joan) Boisen of Cedar Rapids.

He loved all animals, especially Lexi, his cat, and Buster, his beloved hunting dog, and all his grandpets.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and two brothers.

A graduate of Van Horne High School, Robert started his career with Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids, then later moved to Illinois, where he was proudly employed by Yellow Freight System in Morton for 30 years, retiring with numerous safety awards, including the Million Mile Safe Driver Award.

He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton and Teamsters Local 627 in Peoria.

He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoyed NASCAR, fishing and riding his ATV with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed photography and drag racing. He was an avid newspaper reader and loved taking care of his pool and had the greenest lawn in Morton.

More than anything, Robert was proud of and loved his children and grandchildren and great-granddaughter. Papa was the greatest Papa ever and will be missed by all. He was a very compassionate and loving person.

Cremation will be accorded. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Morton, Ill., with Father Mark DeSutter and Father Martin officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton, where a recitation of the rosary by Deacon Kevin Zeeb will be held at 7 p.m. Further visitation will be from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial of the cremated remains will be at Hirstein Cemetery in Morton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 225 E. Greenwood St., Morton, IL 61550; OSF St. Francis Medical Center Oncology Department, 530 NE Glen Oak Ave., Peoria, IL 61637; or Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.knappjohnson.com.

Published Feb. 12, 2012 in The Gazette