Robert P. Nekola, 83, of Tama passed away Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at Grinnell Regional Medical Center under the care of Grinnell Regional Hospice. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Rev. Dewey Grimes officiating. Private family interment will be held at National Cemetery in rural Vining. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services Saturday at the funeral home.



Robert was born on September 12, 1931 in rural Tama County, Iowa the son of Charles and Anna (Vitek) Nekola. He served his country in the US Army during the Korean War driving a tank on the front lines of battle. Robert was discharged as a sergeant He was united in marriage to Mary Jane Backen on June 3, 1956 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama. Robert was a lifelong farmer and had also worked at Wilson Meat Packing in Cedar Rapids as a young man. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Tama American Legion. Robert enjoyed gardening, fishing, bird watching, and taking care of his yard. He also enjoyed word search puzzles, completing around ten daily for many years. In the fall, Robert would pick up walnuts in various locations. He would clean the nuts in an old washing machine and then shell the nuts, putting up several pints each year.
Survivors include his wife Mary Jane of Tama; three sons, Bob (Sally) Nekola of Gilman, Jim Nekola of Tama, and Randy (Tammy) Nekola of Tama; eight grandchildren, Matt (Sarah) Nekola, Doug (Destiny) Nekola, Shauntay Rickett, Brian (Trudy) Nekola, Danielle Nekola, Janelle Nekola, Shelby Nekola, and Caitlin Nekola; seven great-grand children, Bentley, Hannah, Logan, Landon, and Lathan Nekola, Jordyn and Jenna Cremeans; and one brother, Fred (Edith) Nekola of Cedar Rapids.
Preceding him in death were his parents; and eight siblings, Ed Nekola, Lillian Bazal, Charles Nekola, Joseph Nekola, Willard Nekola, Kenny Nekola, Mary Ann Dolash, and Evern Nekola.
A memorial fund has been established.