Robert “Bob” Owen Wherrett was born on May 19, 1942, in Lebanon, Ohio, to Owen Ellis Wherrett and Elva Marjorie (Krauss) Wherrett. He attended grade school in Aurora, Illinois, and later graduated from Truman Community High School in Truman, Minnesota, with the Class of 1961.
Throughout his life, Bob held a variety of positions. He worked at a turkey processing plant in Madelia, Minnesota, and at a pork processing plant in Harlan, Iowa. In Harlan, he also drove a bus for Reid and was employed at Variety Distributors. Later, he worked at Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska.
Bob later moved to Florida, where he was employed by Creative Events in Orlando for 21 years. One of his primary responsibilities was helping maintain, transport, set up, and display the world-famous miniature White House across the United States. The exhibit traveled to malls, fairs, Presidential Libraries, and the Smithsonian Institute. In addition, Bob worked at the House of Presidents Museum, where he performed maintenance duties and led tours. During this time, he had the privilege of meeting all the living presidents and their wives, and he was able to tour and photograph the entire White House.
He looked forward to spending winters in Arizona and summers at the lake in Minnesota, along with many other memorable motorhome trips with Marjorie. Time at the Minnesota lakes was especially meaningful to him, where he loved fishing and boating. He also had a strong interest in trains and enjoyed both riding them and reading about their history. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Harlan.
He passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa, at the age of 83. He was preceded in death by his parents, Owen and Elva Wherrett, and his brother-in-law, Ernest Plagman.
He is survived by his sister, Marjorie Plagman of Irwin; his brother, James (Mary) Wherrett of Omaha; as well as many nieces and nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Harlan, with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be held in Merrill’s Grove Cemetery near Fiscus, Iowa.
