Robert ‘Bob’ Voves, 85

June 4, 1935 —

Dec. 31, 2020

 

ELMA - Robert F. Voves, age 85, of Elma, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 at Regonial Health Services of Howard County in Cresco, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Lourdes, Iowa with Father Jerry Kopacek celebrating Mass. Burial was in Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Lourdes, Iowa with Father Jerry Kopacek celebrating Mass. Burial will be in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery at Lourdes.

Visitation will be held before the service, with a Rosary at 9 a.m.

Robert “Bob” Voves was born on June 4, 1935 to Joseph and Clara (Pechota) Voves in Elma, Iowa. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes School and graduated in 1953 from Immaculate Conception School in Elma. After his graduation, he entered the United States Army and served his country working with radar operations. He received his honorable discharge in 1955. 

Bob then attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He was a heavy equipment operator for several companies. He was united in marriage to Bernadette Smith on Oct. 7, 1961 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. The couple farmed in the Lourdes area, where they raised six children, with visits from 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. They purchased the Voves Bar and Grill in 1978, which they operated until 1993. Bob was a county supervisor for two terms. He retired in 1998 and moved to Elma. 

He enjoyed attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events. He loved being with family and friends, playing cards, reading, dancing, golfing and bowling. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, the Knights of Columbus and Elma American Legion Post #597.

Bob is survived by his wife, Bernadette “Bernie” of Elma; son, Mark Voves of Elma and his children, Jordan and Ashley; daughter, Pam (David) Carroll of Cresco, Iowa and their children, Erica (Kris) Sajdak (children Addyson, Ellie and Will) and Kala (Denver) Trojan and their daughter, Teagan; daughter, Therese (Galen) Tolliver of Norwalk, Iowa and their children, Alyssa (Justyn) Coughennower (children Eli and Mia) and Trever Tolliver; son, Bob (Lisa) Voves of Cedar Falls, Iowa and their children, Ryan, Austin (Jordan) and Dylan; son, Curt (Deb) Voves of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and their children, Trey, Tyler and Haley; and daughter, Cindy (Aaron) Butikofer of Cresco, Iowa and their children, Cole, Kyra and Carver; brother, Velmer (Maxine) Voves of Woodbury, Minn.; and sister-in-law, Colleen Voves of Cresco.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Clara Voves and brother, Larry.

Arrangements are with Conway-Markham Funeral Home of Elma, Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com. Memorials may be directed to the family.