Robert "Bob" Mann

A funeral service for Robert "Bob" Mann will be held at 11 am, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake.  Visitation will begin at 9:30 am until service time at the church. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Spirit Lake.

Robert Dean Mann, 93, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024.

Bob was born on September 8, 1930, in Correctionville, IA to Edward and Ila (Wright) Mann. The Mann family moved around some when Bob was young. Because he attended various schools, Bob learned to be a conversationalist and make friends at an early age. He took up hunting when he was young, as well. He enjoyed hunting pheasants on his walks home from school and even more so the fox hunting he did on the days he skipped classes. Bob grew up around horses. He learned to train, trick ride and arena-show horses from his dad. Bob was a sportsman of all kinds. He was a competitor who loved running track, playing basketball and softball and boxing in the Golden Gloves. Bob graduated from Spencer High School in 1949. 

In 1952, Bob was drafted. He proudly served his country in the navy aboard the U.S.S. Rochester during the Korean War. After completing his tour, Bob continued his service in the reserves for four additional years.

Bob graduated from Coyne College Electrical School in Chicago, IL. in 1956 and was offered a job in the big city. But, there was no place to hunt or fish there, so he returned to the Lakes Region. 

On June 17,1956 Bob married his best friend and the love of his life Shirley Bohn. The two made their home in Spirit Lake, IA where Bob was employed by Iowa Electric Light & Power (Alliant Energy) for 36 years. He felt that his greatest career achievement was that of teaching and mentoring in the apprenticeship program. Bob also worked part-time on his father-in-law, Merle Bohn’s farm and volunteered at Immanuel Lutheran Church in various capacities. When he wasn’t working, Bob found time to coach Little League baseball, shoot trap at the Izaak Walton League, attend all of his children’s activities and sneak in a few gun shows and hunting trips with Merle.

Upon his retirement, Bob began a lawn mowing and snow removal business, now operated by his son and grandson. Bob adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren, taking a personal interest in each of them. If he wasn’t playing with them, he was checking in on them via phone call or text. Bob established an annual fishing trip with the men that he fondly called his fishin’ buddies and cherished every moment with them at Lake of the Woods. 

Bob’s love and his mischievous quick wit will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughters Tammy (Paul) and Cindy (Brian) and son, Steve; granddaughters Marina (Zach), Lauren and Hope, and grandsons Ryan, Drew, Zach, and Kasen; three great-granddaughters Charlotte, Francesca and Magnolia; one brother Gerald (Barb) and sister-in-law Marge (Raymond).

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Leo, Raymond, Marvin, Alice (Jaacks), Bonnie (Dehrkoop) and great-grandson Nolan Robert Evanovich.