Services will be held Friday, May 5, at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson for Robert Alan Monthei, 88, of Cooper.
Words of comfort will be offered by the Rev Heather Dorr, pastor of the church. Music will include a recording by Bob Monthei and Sally Grimes of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” and soloist Gary Haupert accompanied by Sheryl Sloan. Honorary bearers will be the late Zachary Monthei, Tegan Monthei, Kayleb Monthei and Mason Monthei.
Casket bearers will be Jesse Monthei, Ryan Monthei, Rex Meylor, John Hegland, McCayla Hegland and Angie Monthei-Meylor. Interment will be in the Franklin Township Cemetery in Cooper with graveside military rites by an Iowa Army National guard Honor guard.
Robert Alan Monthei was born January 31, 1935, in Jefferson to Roy and Elsie (Ogden) Monthei. Bob grew up in Cooper and Rippey. He farmed with his father in the Jefferson/Ogden area.
Bob attended Rippey High School, where he played baseball and basketball. He also played the clarinet and saxophone. He graduated in 1953, then attended Iowa State University in Ames. He was an avid Cyclone fan.
On April 11, 1954, Bob married Marilyn Ruth Dozier. They became the parents of three children: daughter Diane, and sons, Randy and Roger.
Bob was a member of the National Guard for six years. In his spare time, Bob loved to bowl, golf, and sing with the Ames Tones. He enjoyed grilling with family and friends. Bob taught Sunday school at the First Methodist Church in Ames and at the Cooper Methodist Church. He was on the church council at Cooper, where he also sang in the church choir.
Bob passed away April 30, 2023, at the age of 88 years. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marilyn; sister Sally (Harlow) Grimes; daughter Diane Love; sons Randy (Virgene) Monthei and Roger (Stacey) Monthei; grandchildren Angie (Rex) Monthei-Meylor, Ryan Monthei, Jesse Monthei, and McKayla (John) Hegland; great-grandchildren Tegan, Kayleb, and Mason Monthei, Lucy, Dorothy, and Monty Meylor, Quincy Monthei, and Rae Hegland.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Elsie Monthei; sister Jane Alice Monthei at birth; grandson Zachary Robert Monthei; and son-in-law Gale Love.
The family expressed their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Households of Bethany, David’s Place, and Hospice of the Midwest for their loving care of Bob.
The family was assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
