Robert Duane Klemesrud Jr.

Robert Duane Klemesrud, Jr., age 76, of Osage peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Bob was born on August 18, 1948, to Robert Sr. and Joan (Ryner) Klemesrud at Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City, Iowa. Bob completed his high school education from Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock High School in 1966, where he participated in FFA and various sports. He then obtained an AA Degree from NIACC, where he played both basketball and baseball. In 1970, he earned a BA in Education from Wartburg College.

Bob was married on June 21, 1970, to Nancy deBuhr at Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford, IA and they welcomed two children. He was drafted into the Army after graduation from Wartburg. His Army career included basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington and x-ray tech school at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. Then, he worked at Beach Army Hospital at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells, TX. After being discharged from the Army, he returned home to raise grain and livestock with his dad. They exhibited swine at many fairs and hog shows, achieving notable success, including winning Reserve Champion at Type Conference and selling a boar for $12,500, which was a record at the time.

In 1987, Bob was offered a dealership to sell DeKalb and Asgrow seed, which he did for 37 years. He partnered with his brother, Randy, making rustic lamps and other decor for their Midway Farms business. Bob was also active in the local community. He was a past member of the Pork Producers Board and took on the role of school board president of the RRMR School District, helping guide the community through the challenges of the school fire of 1989. He took great pride in presenting his two sons with their high school diplomas during their graduations. Furthermore, he served on the board of directors at Faith Lutheran Home in Osage, Iowa. He was a lifelong member of Rock Creek Lutheran Church. Bob participated in multiple sports and was an avid sports fan. He played slow-pitch softball until he was 40, bowled in several leagues, and spent a majority of Saturday nights playing cards with his siblings and friends. His favorite teams were the Iowa Hawkeyes, Minnesota Twins, and the Minnesota Vikings.

His very favorites were his own boys, Matt and Andy, and his grandchildren Nolan, Drew and Olivia. He took his sons as young boys to open gym every week, coached their youth teams, watched their high school games, and then traveled to their college games. Bob and Nancy moved to the home farm where he had grown up in 2003 and spent 15 more years there before moving to Osage in 2018. Even though he lived in town, he made the trip out to the farm nearly every day for six years.

Bob is survived by his wife, Nancy, and their two sons: Matt Klemesrud of Cedar Falls, IA, and Andy Klemesrud, his wife, Joni and their children Nolan, Drew, and Olivia of Waukee, IA. Siblings include Wendell (Paula) Klemesrud of Cedar Springs, MI; Lori Klemesrud of Mason City, IA; Randy Klemesrud of Nora Springs, IA; and Kevin Klemesrud (Mellony) of Osceola, IA; sisters-in-law, Joanne O’Connor of Waterloo, IA, and Velda deBuhr of Rockford, IA, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob, Sr. and Joan Klemesrud; sister, Barbara Klemesrud; brothers-in-law, Jim O’Connor and Dick deBuhr.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the personnel at Mitchell County Regional Health Center and the EMTs for their exceptional care and for going above and beyond to assist Bob and his family during their time of need.

A visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Rock Creek Lutheran Church, 3269 Foothill Ave., Osage, with Pastor Joel Nye officiating. Burial will be in the Rock Creek Cemetery

Hoff Celebrations - Champion Chapel of Osage is assisting the family with arrangements.