Bobby Joe “Bob” Beckendorf, the son of Joseph and Dorothy (Irene) Beckendorf, was born October 20, 1935, near Hancock, IA. Bob died March 16, 2022, at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA, at the age of 86 years, 4 months, and 27 days.
Bob attended and graduated from the Lewis Consolidated High School in 1954. On November 19, 1954, he was united in marriage to Beverly Ann Zimmerman, at the Lewis United Methodist Church. Bob began farming in 1955, and in 1969, he and Bev moved to the home place. Bob and Bev had field crops and livestock, including a herd of buffalo. In addition to farming, Bob worked as a salesman for Fontenelle Seed until he was 65. After his retirement from the seed company, he became a crop adjuster. He worked as a crop adjuster until his late 70’s. Bev died May 9, 2018. Bob moved to the Allen Place in Atlantic. He lived in Atlantic until the time of his death.
Bob was a member of the Oakland United Methodist Church and Coral Lodge #335 A.F. & A.M. Bob loved drink coffee with his friends and had been known as a wonderful hat dancer.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents; his son Larry; his brother Boyd; his sister Betty Sunderman and husband Darrell; and his nephew Sam Sunderman.
He is survived by his children: Russell Beckendorf and wife Carla of Milford, IA, Sherri Hetrick and husband Chuck of Maryville, MO, and Mark Beckendorf of Waukee, IA; his daughter-in-law Jane Beckendorf of Exira, IA; his grandchildren: Morgan, Christian, Robin, Jennifer, Trevor, Reagan, Carly, Kacey, and Corey; ten great grandchildren; and his sister-in-law, Karen Woodward and husband Duane of Lewis, IA.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at 11:30 AM at the Oakland United Methodist Church. Visitation with the family will be on Monday, February 21, 2022, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, at the Oakland United Methodist Church. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery at Lewis, IA. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family.
