Robert Wolfram

Robert “Bob” H. Wolfram, Sr., 91, of Ventura, died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, at Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 301 S. Main St., Ventura, with Pastor Jesse Burns officiating.  Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, in Mason City.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake. In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial contributions to the R.H. Wolfram Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 77, Ventura IA, 50482.

Bob was born Jan. 25, 1927, the son of Theodore “Ted” Jr. and Rose (Mundt) Wolfram, in May City.  He married Cynthia “Cyndi” Eileen Hauge in 1955 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, in Ventura. They have three children and were married 62 years before Cyndi’s death on Feb. 27, 2017.

Bob graduated from Ventura High School, where he helped lead the Ventura Vikings boys’ basketball team to the State championships.

At 18, he was drafted into the United States Army and served during World War II as a military police officer.

Following in their parents footsteps, Bob, and his older brother, Ted, co-owned B&T Food Market, in Ventura, where they were known for their fresh produce, exceptional service, and great weekly specials.

Bob later went on to work as a sales representative for Ligget-Meyer Tobacco Company for 32 years, where he never met a stranger.

After retiring, he was elected Mayor of Ventura in 1981.  He served multiple terms for nearly 30 years, while also serving on the Ventura City Council.

You rarely saw Mayor Bob without a pipe in his mouth smoking a bowl of Captain Black, dishelved silver hair spiking out of a random baseball cap, an often times soiled tee or sweatshirt, baggy jeans and his black crocks (he owned five pair!) When urged by his wife, and children, to dress more appropriately, or at least put on a clean shirt, he would reply, “If they don’t like it, they can get another Mayor!”

Bob spent countless hours raising funds for a number of projects, including the construction of the Ventura Public Library, Post Office and Community Center, among MANY others.

In fact, it’s widely known, when Mayor Bob came through the door, area business owners and leaders would automatically open their checkbooks!

Bob was a loyal family man who took immense pride in his community and especially loved serving its children by hosting winter wiener roasts, spearheading the construction of Lynn Lorenzen Park and the Ventura Children’s Playground, which is dedicated in his honor. For most of his adult life, Bob was an avid volunteer for then Handicap Village and Cerro Gordo County, always lending a hand to the less fortunate and under privileged.

He enjoyed woodworking and being out in his yard where he’s still known for mowing the straightest lines in town!

Bob never missed an Iowa Hawkeye football or basketball game.

And much to the joy of his family, he finally traded out his tee-shirts and jeans to a wardrobe of strictly Iowa Hawkeye clothing all the way down to his socks.

As life began to wind down, you would often find Bob sitting on his deck, smoking his pipe and admiring what he called, “Hands down, the best view of Clear Lake.”

Robert is survived by three children, Robert “Bobby” Wolfram Jr., of Ventura, Wendy (Tony) Joseph, of Byron, Minn. and Robin Wolfram, of Ventura; three grandchildren, Nate (Thea) Anthony, Nic Anthony, and Emily (Eric) Fersun; three great-grandchildren; brothers, Ted (Barb) and Bill (Carmen); and so many nieces and nephews who found “Uncle Bob” quite entertaining!

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and sister, Margaret Dammen.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.