Robert Lovetinsky Sr.

ROBERT G. LOVETINSKY SR.

Iowa City

Robert "Bob" G. Lovetinsky Sr., 89, died peacefully at his home on Oct. 3, 2017, from complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, surrounded by love and his favorite country music.

A funeral service will begin Monday at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City at 11 a.m. Visitation will be Sunday at Lensing's from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Iowa City.

Bob was a lifelong resident of Iowa City. He was born Sept. 20, 1928, in Iowa City to George and Mary (Spawn) Lovetinsky. He attended University High School and began his career as a farmer. Bob met Juanita Fountain at the Swisher Dance Mor Ballroom and, on Oct. 12, 1950, they married at St. Mary's Church in Iowa City. They worked, played and danced side by side for 53 happy years. Bob enjoyed the companionship of Joan Haman for his remaining years.

Bob was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Church, Iowa City Moose Lodge No. 1096, of which he served as past governor, and the Iowa City Eagles Lodge. He was a Soil and Water Conservation District commissioner for many years. He loved to garden, tend flowers and fruit trees, dance, fish, camp and travel. He and Juanita wintered in Punta Gorda, Fla., and Texas.

Bob always was positive and upbeat no matter what life threw his way. He made friends everywhere he went. He and Juanita danced the smoothest fox trot you ever saw.

Bob is survived by his children, Dan Lovetinsky of Iowa City, and his children, Bryan, Nicole and Jennifer (fiance, Andre Meacham); Diane (Keith) Slaughter of Iowa City, and their children, Shaun (Melissa) Slaughter and Lindsey (Ronan) Fudge; Katherine Jo (Kirk) Payne of Rochester, Minn., and their children, Calla (Ben) Payne Hyman, Hilary (fiance, Jake Wachowiak), Elizabeth (fiance, Andy Drish) and Hannah Payne; Tina Wright of Iowa City, and her son, Cassidy; great-grandchildren, Ashley Slaughter, McKenzie Fudge and Kai Hyman; sister, Mary Jean Swenka; two sisters-in-law, Mildred Lovetinsky and Suzanne Fountain; brother-in-law, Jack Schintler; and Bob's companion, Joan Haman.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Juanita; an infant son, Jeff; son, Robert Jr.; grand-daughter, Crystal; four brothers, Joe, Ray, Don and Jack; sisters-in-law, LaVerne Hansen, Mildred Lovetinsky, Helen Mahan, Fern Schintler and Marguerite Lovetinsky; brothers-in-law, John Swenka, Paul Fountain and Chesley Hansen; and a son-in-law, Bill Wright.

Memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Church or Iowa City Hospice.

Bob greatly enjoyed his many friends and family and the Sunday evening dinners, watching his great-grand-daughters play. He lived as he worked – with passion, sincerity and dedication.

www.lensingfuneral.com