Robert Marco

Sibley, IA        Robert “Bob” Marco, age 81 of Sibley, IA died on Friday, December 30, 2016 at the Country View Manor Nursing Home in Sibley, IA.         Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 at United Church of Christ in Sibley, IA with Rev. Kelly Volk officiating. Burial will follow at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.        Visitation will be Tuesday Jan. 3rd from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley.        In lieu of flowers family wish memorials be designated to the Sibley United Church of Christ.      Bob Marco was born July 20, 1935 on the family farm northeast of Sibley to Eugene and Catherine (Hodapp) Marco. He received his education at country school Wilson #5. Bob helped his father farm until he entered the service of the United States Airforce in 1955 where he served for four years. He was an Airman 1st Class and was stationed at Chanute Air Force Base. While he was in the service, Bob attended several aircraft engine schools including Texas AIB, Indianapolis and General Motors Turbo Prop schools. He worked on C119, C123 and C130 which were all cargo aircraft. He enjoyed his work with aircraft very much. After four years Bob came back to Iowa. He started farming in 1959 and farmed until his retirement in 1998. On July 31, 1965, he was united in marriage to Ercell Mae Luitjens in Sioux City, IA. The couple made their home on their farm near Sibley.  Bob and Ercell loved working together on the farm. Although Ercell wasn’t necessarily a farm girl, she did very well helping Bob when he needed it. The couple also loved to travel together. They especially enjoyed Blue Grass Gospel Festivals and would take their camper to several places to meet up with friends and enjoy the music. Over the years, Bob and Ercell traveled rather extensively, even taking a cruise that sailed through the Panama Canal. What a grand site to see. They also shared a lovely trip to Hawaii among other places. After retirement, most winters would find Bob and Ercell living at Trophy Gardens RV Park in Alamo, Texas where they would enjoy friends they had made there along with the mild weather. He was a member of the United Church of Christ Congregational in Sibley for many years. Bob had a great sense of humor and enjoyed greatly visiting with friends and family. This past Friday, December 30, 2016 Bob passed away at the Country View Manor nursing home in Sibley. He will be greatly missed.    He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ercell Marco of Sibley, IA; brother, Dan (Lois) Marco of Sibley, IA; brother, Paul (Leona) Marco of Bigelow, MN; sisters, Frances Prazan of Columbus, NE and Kathleen Babcock of Baytown, TX; brother-in-law, Robert (Joan) Luitjens of George, IA; and sister-in-law, Wilma Hatting of Sibley, IA; and other extended family members.      He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Catherine Marco; sister, Mary Jean Bowers; brothers-in-law, Merle Bowers and Elden Prazen; and parents-in-law, William and Anna Luitjens.