Obit: Deetz, Robert Leo (1929 - 2013)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Deetz, Fenski, Flynn, Kezar, Knoener, Koepp, Larson

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 11/07/2013

Deetz, Robert Leo "Bob" (18 MAY 1929 - 3 NOV 2013)

Robert Leo "Bob" Deetz, age 84, longtime Gilman area resident, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013 at Gilman Care Center.

Bob was born on May 18, 1929 in Modena to the late Leo and Vera Mae (Kezar) Deetz.

He attended Sisson Grade School and graduated from Mondovi High School. He then served his country proudly in the United States Navy as a medic, and afterwards attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and received a degree in social studies. Later, he received a master's degree from Winona State College.

He was a teacher at Taylor High School, and a teaching principal at Hixton and Whitehall High School. Bob was also a school administrator at Elk Mound, Spring Valley, Mayville and Gilman. Education was his life aim.

After retiring from education, he was licensed as an assessor and real estate appraiser, and later taught real estate classes at vocational schools. He also wrote a number of continuing education classes for assessors and appraisers.

Bob was also involved in a number of projects, such as starting a state trap shoot for high school students, one of the few in the United States that is still ongoing. He was on the Taylor County Board, village trustee for Gilman and also on the Gilman School Board. Besides all of this, there was always time for his large garden and many shrubs.

Bob was united in marriage to Lois Larson on May 9, 1953, his wife of 60 years, which he is survived by along with his two children, Lon Deetz of Hawkins and Jackie Knoener of Hugo, MN; three granddaughters; one sister, Donna Flynn of Redwing, MN; two great-granddaughters; and one great-grandson. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Carol Koepp.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Gilman, with Pastor Aric Fenski officiating. Visitation time will be one hour prior to services at the church. Plombon Funeral Service assisted the family.