Robert Fuhrmeister Sr., Fuhrmeister Sr.

ROBERT J. FUHRMEISTER SR.

Iowa City

Robert J. Fuhrmeister Sr., 96, longtime area farmer, died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018, at the Solon Care Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City, with burial, including military honors, to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. (Sunday parking ordinance will be in effect for the streets near the church.) Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory to Iowa City Hospice. To share a thought, memory or condolence with his family, please visit the funeral home website www.gayandciha.com.

Robert Joseph Fuhrmeister was born Aug. 13, 1922, in the Newport Township of Johnson County, Iowa, the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Semrad) Fuhrmeister. During World War II, he served his country proudly in the United States Army. On May 4, 1943, he was united in marriage to Gertrude H. Evans at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City. For his entire married life he has been a farmer; with Gertrude, they farmed in the rural Iowa City and West Branch areas. He was known to say, "He was not retired but collected Social Security" - you could never stop this farmer from farming!

He was a lifetime member of the Solon American Legion, VFW, Farm Bureau, Eagles and Moose Lodge and Johnson County Cattleman's Association, and a former director on the board of Cedar County Farm Service. Robert enjoyed much in life, of course his farming on his "Farmalls," fishing, traveling, playing cards, mushrooming, visiting with friends and neighbors, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and dancing with his wife of 75 years. The two of them could be found most Saturday nights on some dance floor in Eastern Iowa. Even as they grew older, walkers in front of them, once on the dance floor, no walkers in sight.

His family includes his dance partner, Gertrude; daughters, Donna Heacock (Mark), Mary Henderson and Carol Poock (Dennis); son, Jerry Fuhrmeister (Cindy); daughter-in-law, Janis Fuhrmeister; 15 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; five sisters; one brother; a son, Robert J. Fuhrmeister; and a son-in-law, John Henderson.

Roberts's family would like to share a very sincere word of thanks for the entire Solon Care Center and Iowa City Hospice for their care of our special man. And to Diane at Iowa City Hospice, no words can express our thoughts for you. "Thank you!"