Hoerner, Robert J. 'Bob'

Robert J. “Bob” Hoerner, 85, of Luther Manor in Dubuque, formerly of Military Road in Key West, died 9:45 a.m. Thursday, June 23, 2011, at Luther Manor. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 27, at St. Joseph Church, Key West, with Father Donald Bakewell and Monsignor Wayne Ressler officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West. Friends may call from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 26, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd., Dubuque, where there will be a parish wake service at noon.

Bob was born Jan. 10, 1926, in Dubuque, the son of Walter and Gladys (Woodrich) Hoerner. He married Millie Frederick on May 16, 1949, in Sioux Falls, S.D., while he was playing pro ball for the Chicago Cubs Minor League Team, the Sioux Falls Canaries. Returning to Dubuque, Bob worked for Sears Department Store until retiring in 1987 as the Appliance Department manager.

Baseball remained a big part of Bob's life. He actively supported participation in baseball especially by his family; he was inducted to the Dubuque County Baseball Hall of Fame, where he was currently serving as a committee member.

Bob was very active in the community and was always willing to volunteer, including the Kiwanis Club, Area Residential Care, the Mount Olivet Cemetery board of directors, and he was very active at St. Joseph's Key West Parish. Bob also had a great passion for hunting, fishing, including the opening day of pheasant season being a national holiday for Bob and his family.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Millie; six children, Julie (Brad) Lester of Solon, Iowa, Jerry (Marianne) Hoerner of Key West, Iowa, Ted (Stacy) Hoerner of Chicago, Dan (Linda) Hoerner of Dubuque, Marianne (Jean Michel) Choquet of Sitges, Spain, and Nancy (Al) Ronek of Peosta, Iowa; grandchildren, Jason, Jordan, and Abbie Hoerner, Adam and Luke Hoerner, Callie Schauer, Jared and Audrey Lester, Carlie and Greta Hoerner, Quinn, Max, Lori and Sadie Ronek, Yancy and Axel Choquet; great-grandchildren, Dominic Hoerner and Faith Schauer; brother, Jim (Sally) Hoerner of Key West; a sister, Ann (Bob) Lambe of Zwingle; sisters-in-law, Darlene Hoerner of St. Louis and Phyllis Hoerner of Dubuque; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Tommy on Feb. 23, 1961; his father, Walter in 1997; his mother, Gladys in 1977; two brothers, Joe and John; and three sisters, Betty Smith, Sally Clewell and Mary O'Toole.

In lieu of flowers, a Bob Hoerner memorial fund has been established.

The family wishes to thank all of the family, friends and health care professionals for all their wonderful care, kindness and support given to Bob and his family.