"We send our sympathy to you. Our family has many wonderful memories of your family through the years. Alda Mae treasures your lifelong friendship. May God comfort each of you in the days ahead."
In loving memory of
Robert 'Bob' George Vetter
September 20, 1918 - October 30, 2013
ROBERT 'BOB' VETTER
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Robert 'Bob' George Vetter, 95, of Muscatine, died on Wednesday, October 30, 2013, at Trinity Hospital - Muscatine.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2013, at St. Mathias Church. The Reverend Jason Crossen will officiate. Honorary Bearers will be Glen Barrington, Steve Vorwerk, Martin Beckey, Scott Hemesath, Danny Keller, Ron Miller, and Robert Sandburg. Casket bearers will be Brent Nicolle, Tom Murphy, Mike Janssen, Jeff Canfield, Tom Fahy, and Jason Miller. Burial will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held at Gannon Hall following the committal service.
Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2013, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home with a Rosary Prayer Service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Camp Courageous of Iowa, or Special Olympics of Muscatine.
Bob was born on September 20, 1918, in Muscatine, the son of Arthur J. and Genevieve Lang Vetter. He was a graduate of St. Mary's High School. He married Nellie M. Miller at the St. Mary's Rectory on October 22, 1939.
He was a veteran of the US Air Force serving during World War II.
He had been employed for over 40 years at Muscatine Power and Water.
He was a board member and President of Muscatine County Community Workshops, Inc. (now known as Crossroads, Inc.); he was a board member and Chairman of Muscatine County Red Cross; he was a St. Mary's Parish Council member and Chairman; he served on Muscatine City Cemetery Advisory Commission and Golf Course Advisory Commission; he was a board member for Special Olympics of Muscatine County; was a Meals on Wheels volunteer; he delivered library books to the homebound; and was a Co-Chairperson for the St. Mary's Church Loaves and Fishes. He was a member of the Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish and had attended St. Mary's Church. He was also a member of the Muscatine Elks Lodge and the Moose Lodge.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Nellie Vetter of Muscatine; two sons, Larry G. Vetter and wife, Carol, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, and Richard 'Dick' R. Vetter of Muscatine; two grandchildren, Laura Vetter Guillory and husband, Michael of Warsaw, Indiana, and Lisa Vetter Janssen and husband, Michael, of Blaine, Minnesota; two step-grandchildren, Brent Nicolle of Mound, Minnesota, and Rene Nicolle Murphy and husband, Tom, of Wayzata, Minnesota; three great-grandchildren, Melissa Milos, Larry Guillory, and Sydney Janssen; two step-great grandchildren, Owen and Ava Murphy; and one great great-granddaughter, Zoey Wyatt.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Genevieve Vetter and Caryl Vetter Vorwerk.
Tributes
"The Vetter Family is one of the nicest families on this earth! Camp Courageous was very saddened to hear of Bob's death. Bob, and his wife, Nellie, and son, Dick (who is an exceptional Camp Courageous Camper) would leave their home in Muscatine at the wee hours of the morning in order to always be among the first to work at camp's pancake and omelet breakfasts. A man of true kindness and integrity, he was a gem..and that personality showed best in their son, Dick. Dick is as precious as they come. Everyone knows and loves Dick Vetter at camp. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Nellie, Dick, and Larry."
"Bob left his fingerprints of good work all over Muscatine. From his endless work at the church, volunteering with so many organizations but most importantly for his irrepressible smile and his oh so friendly greetings. He was an inspiration to so many of us that looked up to this great man."
"Nellie, Please accept my most sincere condolences on the death of Bob. Gosh, the memories from the old St. Mary neighborhood and sitting on your front porch reading comic books until my eyes crossed. Please forward my thoughts to Larry and Dick. Bob is in my prayers "Bobby" Fiedler"
"Nellie and Dick: I am so sorry to hear about Bob's passing. I have so many fond memories of him with Special Olympics. He truly will be missed by all that came into his life. Just remember, to keep your grief light hearted, and; as time goes by, the sorrow will fade, and, then; you will be blessed with beautiful memories of him. Take Care and God Bless."
"Nellie, Dick, and Larry, I am truly sorry for your loss. We grieve now, but celebrate Bob's life in Jesus. He is with our Lord, as soon we all will be. My prayers go out to you for your peace."
"Dear Vetter family, Far from Muscatine today, I was saddened to hear of Bob's death. A proper note will follow, but I hope this message will provide comfort today. It was my pleasure to know Bob, especially as we shared coffee together in recent times. I certainly learned from him, and laughed with him, and appreciated his service to our country and to our community. May you find comfort in faith, family, and friends as you mourn his loss and celebrate his life. Peace be with you, Ann C. Petersen"
"Vetter family, I am truly sorry for the loss of Bob, may God give you comfort and strength thru theses days of sorrow. I miss those day's of his smiles and laughter at the Y. I know he will be deeply missed by you and the Special Olympic Family. Again I am sorry. Love MILO"