ROBERT ALTON (BOB) HUGHES
Robert Alton (Bob) Hughes of Knapp passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 7, 2016 at Park View Home in Woodville, where he had resided since December 14, 2012. Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in December 2009; however, this devastating disease may have robbed him of his short-term memory, but he remained a true gentleman with a sweet disposition and always knew his wife Flossie.
Bob, the firstborn child of Robert and Evelyn (Petrie) Hughes, was born on November 6, 1927 at Memorial Hospital in Menomonie. He lived his entire life in the Knapp area. Bob attended Miller Hill country school in rural Knapp and Dunn County Agricultural School (Aggie School) in Menomonie. Due to necessity, Bob left Aggie School during his second year of high school to help his father on the farm, which was often the case for the eldest son.
Bob was baptized, attended Sunday School and was confirmed at the Miller Hill Methodist Church in rural Knapp. He was a current member of Wilson Lutheran Church and previously served on the church council.
Bob was united in marriage to Sharon Dale Foss on July 20, 1951 in Menomonie. They made their home on a dairy farm in rural Knapp after a trip to Yellowstone National Park. Their marriage was blessed with four children: Kathy (Orv) Rehfeldt, Dan (Josie Shackleton) Hughes, Bill (Debbie) Hughes, and Larry (Machael) Hughes; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. The family enjoyed trips in their camper bus and gatherings with the Mears’ family in Baraboo. They also enjoyed attending the Minnesota State Fair (Machinery Hill was top on the list of Bob’s favorites).
During his lifetime, not only was Bob a farmer, he was also employed at Goodman’s Feed Store in Knapp, Bjornson Lumber Mill in Spring Valley, Farmer’s Co-ops in Knapp and Baldwin, and the Knapp Creamery. He especially enjoyed logging and driving a truck for the Knapp Creamery hauling whey to Waukon, Iowa. During his retirement, he worked with his cousin installing vinyl siding and windows.
On June 29, 1996, Bob was united in marriage to Flossie Marie Cardiff at Wilson Lutheran Church. They lived in the Village of Knapp until May 2000 when they moved to their current home in rural Knapp. Bob and Flossie enjoyed holding hands, sharing a hymnal at church, baking sugar cookies together, playing cards (Phase 10 and UNO), playing games (Yahtzee and Left-Right-Center), attending parades and visiting with family and friends. They enjoyed a fishing trip to Canada where Bob, a first-time angler, caught the first fish. They also traveled to Nevada, Scotland, California, Washington, Minnesota, North Dakota, Illinois, Tennessee, and southern states including Oklahoma and Texas. Bob thought flying in an airplane was remarkable and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Throughout his life, Bob enjoyed old-time music and loved to dance (especially a polka). He also enjoyed checking out “The Trading Post” and auction bills, which sent him and Flossie on many adventures. He was always on the lookout for a good “Oldsmobile” and was quite a fan of NASCAR (Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was his favorite driver). Living only ¼ mile from the freeway, Bob kept extra gas and oil on hand and willingly helped anyone who stopped with car trouble (college girls often ran low on gas and oil). Bob’s family referred to him as the “King of Ice Cream” and he would offer all visitors a dish of ice cream. If you declined, much to Bob’s dismay, he saw to it that you had some or, at the very least, had a glass of ginger ale or lemonade.
Bob is survived by his wife, Flossie, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two sisters Myrna Brantmeier and Deanna (Vern) Jenson; one brother, Howard (Nancy) Hughes; two sisters-in-law, Ramona Mears and Marilynn (Gerald) Bartos. He is also survived by many other relatives and friends. Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Sharon; an infant daughter, Ramona; his parents; his stepmother, Ada (Hammond) Hughes; his sister, Dorothy Phillipps and her husband Bob; his brother, Milton Hughes; daughter-in-law, Terry Hughes; and brothers-in-law, Merle Brantmeier and Arnie Cardiff.
The funeral service for Bob Hughes will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Wilson Lutheran Church with Pastor Bob Dahm officiating. Visitation will take place at Keehr Funeral Home from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2016 and at the church one hour prior to the service. Music will be provided by organist Mary Brandt, Bob’s niece, Mery Waldman will be the soloist and will be accompanied on the piano by her sister Kristen Lowe. Burial will be in Wilson Lutheran Church Cemetery. Pallbearers are grandsons: Brent Matson, Willy Hughes, Nathan Hughes, Daniel Hughes and Mike Hughes; nephews, Jeremy Bartos and Jerry Cardiff; and Bob’s special friend Josh Jergensen. Honorary pallbearers are his brother-in-law, Gerald Bartos and his dear friends Ron Schultz, Dave Close and Jack Brinkman.