Robert Paul Husemann

Robert Paul Husemann, 88, of Ottawa, passed away Friday February 5, 2021 surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 10 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Church with Deacon Ron Wackerlin officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Robert’s seven grandchildren. In observance of CDC guidelines, masks and social distancing will be encouraged.

Robert was born June 6, 1932 in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of William and Evelyn (Stoeffler) Husemann. He married Shirley “Carmie” Magana on June 30, 1952 at St. Columba Church. She preceded him in death on October 6, 1991. Robert is survived by a daughter, Christine (Jeffrey) Newbury of Ottawa; a son, Robert Husemann Jr. of Ottawa;, a daughter, Margaret (Jeffrey Schmanske) Jessen of Seneca; a sister, Sandy Johnson; sister-in-law, Shirley Hoffman; grandchildren, Loren (Clayton Brown) Jessen of Ottawa, Cara Jessen of Austin, TX, Brad (Samantha Duffy) Jessen of Dekalb, Christian (Hillary) Newbury of Ottawa, Gabriel (Natalie) Newbury of Ottawa, Erin Newbury of Sioux Falls, SD, and Edward Newbury of Ottawa; great grandchildren, Mason, Gia, Noah, Ella, Crew, Jace, Jax, and Jonah. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Paul and David Husemann; sisters, Ann Sanborn and Patricia Zucker; and a grandson, Joe Jessen.

Robert was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa. He worked for Rock Island Railroad until 1980 and then worked at Illini State Park until his retirement in 1994. He belonged to the National Organization of Railroad Retirees. Robert was a man of many talents. He liked welding, woodworking, photography and making small clocks. He enjoyed bicycling and going to LifeFit. Robert liked meeting his friends for coffee at the local restaurants. Everyone who knew him, knew him to be a kind and caring gentleman. Most important of all, Robert loved his family and grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.