Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cherokee, Iowa. Pastor Jonathan Caldwell will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Cherokee, Iowa. Military rites will be performed by L.A. Wescott Post #2253 and the Cherokee American Legion. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the family present from 3-5:00 p.m. There will be a Masonic Service at 5:00 p.m. following visitation. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bob’s name to be used for a future memorial project.
Bob was born on December 11, 1931 to Ben and Faye (Mummert) Erdman at Aurelia, Iowa. He graduated in 1949 from Cherokee High School.
He was enlisted in the United States Air Force for almost 3 years, serving as a police officer. He was united in marriage to Dian Boothby on December 22, 1951 at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Cherokee, Iowa.
Bob was a farmer and raised livestock until his retirement in 1985.
He was active in his community serving on the church board at Mt. Pleasant Church, Cherokee Rural Water Board, and the Iowa Pork Association Board. He was a member of the Iowa Cattle Association, Speculative Masonic #307 A.F. & A.M., Abu Bekr Shrine and Jesters Abu Bekr Shrine.
He was a long-time member of Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian and then transferred membership to the Memorial Presbyterian Church at Cherokee, Iowa.
Bob enjoyed playing golf, traveling in their motor home, fishing, spending time at the cabin at Lake Okoboji, attending activities for the grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Vera Menefee Pigott, Bonnie Lavone Dlugosch, and Beverly Trapp; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Thomas Boothby, Lucille Boothby, and Daisy Boothby.
Bob is survived by his wife, Dian of Cherokee, Iowa; three children, Steve (Mary) Erdman of Marcus, Iowa, Deb (Bill) Mayer of Marcus, Iowa and Tim (Margie) Erdman of Marcus, Iowa; eight grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren: Ben (Mandy) Erdman and their children, Cole and Beau; Jessie (Nathan) Feldman and their children Hazel, Noah, and Olivia; Abby (Matt) Priebe and their children Avery, Allie, and Levi; Molly (Eric) Kemna and their children Brock and Peyton; Laura (Nate) Markworth and their children, Abram, Esther, and Simon; Mitch (Anna) Erdman and their children, Mia, Caleb, and Lily; Blake (Reagan) Erdman and their son, Michael; Derek (Haley) Erdman; also several nieces and nephews.
