Robert "Bob" John Sterk

Robert “Bob” John Sterk, age 85, of Charlotte, Iowa passed away suddenly on Monday, May 7, 2018 at home. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 11, 2018 at Sts. Mary & Joseph Sugar Creek Catholic Church, rural Preston, Iowa. Burial with Military Rites will take place in Sts. Mary & Joseph Sugar Creek Cemetery, rural Preston, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 10, 2018 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Preston. A Rosary Service will be held at 3:30 p.m., prior to the visitation at the funeral home.

Bob was born at home on January 2, 1933 to Benjamin and Catherine (Franzen) Sterk in Jackson County. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Sugar Creek Township. Bob married Grace Ann Berthel on September 5, 1953 in Petersville, Iowa. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1953-1955 during the Korean Conflict. During his enlistment, Bob was stationed in Verdun, France and served with the 103rd Engineer Company.

Bob worked as a carpenter’s assistant for Ambrose Roling for five years. He later worked as a salesman for the W.T. Rawleigh Company for 30 years in Jackson County and Delaware County until his retirement in 1995. He was a member of Sts. Mary and Joseph Sugar Creek Catholic Church in rural Preston. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially fishing and camping. Bob enjoyed traveling, and spending time with his family most of all.

Bob will be dearly missed by his wife, Grace; six sons, Dennis (Nancy) Sterk of Atlanta, Georgia, Gary Sterk of Clinton, Iowa, Larry (Sandy) Sterk of Walford, Iowa, Scott (Elizabeth) Sterk of Sterling, Illinois, Edward (Beth) Sterk of Bryant, Iowa, and Brent (Kelly) Sterk of Clinton, Iowa; one daughter, Cheryl (Michael) Last of Des Moines, Iowa; 15 grandchildren, Taylor, Hunter, Russell, Daniel, Joselin, Joseph, Makenzie, Connor, Jarrett, Chandler, Leah, Caden, Alyssa, and Anthony (Jane) Sterk, and Kylie (Tom) Chrisman; three great-grandchildren, Liberty, Miles, and Macy; one brother-in-law, Clarence Fuegen of Clinton, Iowa; and one sister-in-law, Marilyn Sterk of Charlotte, Iowa.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Catherine; a sister, Margaret Fuegen, and a brother, Thomas Sterk.