Robert "Bob" Dale Haviland

Rock Rapids, IA Robert "Bob" Haviland, age 85 of Rock Rapids, IA died Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at the Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab in Rock Rapids, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Friday, July 29, 2011 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, with Reverend Mark Hanson officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George, IA, with military honor by the Rex Strait American Legion Post No. 561 and Van Anne-Fields VFW Post No. 6960 of Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Thursday, July 28th from 2 - 8 PM, with the family present from 6 - 8 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home Rock Rapids. Robert Dale Haviland was born on December 15, 1925, the son of Edgar and Emma (Boll) Haviland in Rock Rapids, IA. Bob grew up in the Rock Rapids area and attended country school there. He worked as a farmhand for many farmers in the area for many years. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1953. Bob started farming in 1954. He was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church until 1956, when they merged with the Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. On October 14, 1956, he was united in marriage to Genevive Hansmann at the Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. The couple continued farming until retiring in 1989. Bob was a member of the Dart Ball team and LLL (Lutheran Laymen League). He played softball for the Aeilts Oil and Peace Lutheran softball teams. He later managed the Peace Lutheran, H&A and Lakewood Corner softball teams. He also enjoyed umpiring many games. Bob was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees which rubbed off on many of his family members. He loved to play pinochle with his family and friends and was very proud when he won first place at a pinochle tournament in Spirit Lake, IA. He enjoyed raising miniature ponies and having them pull him and his grandchildren in his stage coach in many area parades. Bob loved gardening, traveling and especially attending his grandchildren's ball games, music events and other school activities. Bob is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Genevive Haviland of Rock Rapids, IA; one son, Larry (Kristy) Haviland of Geneseo, IL; foster-daughter, ReNae (Kenny) Leuthold of Rock Rapids, IA; six grandchildren, Kelli Haviland of San Diego, CA, Lyndsy Haviland of Peru, IN, Adam Haviland of Geneseo, IL, Nathan Leuthold of Sioux Falls, SD, Jason Leuthold and McKenzie Leuthold both of Rock Rapids, IA; one brother, Jim (Mildred) Haviland of Rock Rapids, IA; one sister, Elaine Jenkins of Omaha, NE; one sister-in-law, Wanda Haviland of Minneapolis, MN; two half-brothers, Warren and Dwight Haviland both of Minneapolis, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Carlene Roberta Haviland, son, Daryl Dean Haviland and grandson, Jon Robert Haviland all in infancy; two brothers, Donald and Howard Haviland; half-brother, Vincent Taylor; two sisters-in-law, Jackie Haviland and Bev Taylor; and brother-in-law, Jere Jenkins.