Robert R. Sherburne

Robert R. Sherburne

Former Sumner, Iowa resident, Robert Roland Sherburne, age 81, died March 5, 2012 at Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, IL. Robert was born in Iowa City, Iowa on May 15, 1930 to Frank and Edyth (Rayner) Sherburne. He was raised on a farm outside of Lone Tree, Iowa, where he graduated from high school in 1948. Robert attended the University of Iowa undergraduate and graduate programs, where he met Violet Gordanier. Robert and Violet were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa on July 11, 1954.

Robert enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in Korea and at bases in El Paso and Omaha. Robert worked as a District Manager for International Harvester in cities throughout Iowa. He later bought the IH dealership in Sumner, Iowa in 1967, later known as Sherburne’s Inc. In Sumner, Robert served as the Sumner City Parks Commissioner,was a member of the Rotary Club (past president), the Masons, the American Legion and St. John’s Lutheran Church. Robert was an avid Hawkeye fan, and enjoyed watching sports and playing golf and bridge with family and friends.

Robert is survived by his four children, Steven Sherburne, Cedar Rapids, IA; Linda (Marc) Bigelow, Tahoe City, CA; Bradley (Lisa) Sherburne, Mesa, AZ; and Mary Sherburne, Aurora, IL. Grandchildren include Diane Sherburne, Aaron (Shauna) Bigelow, Amber (Justin) Schoenbachler, Benton Bigelow, Amanda Sherburne, Kellen Sherburne and Lindsay Miller and one great grandchild, Indira Violet Bigelow. Other survivors include sister Shirley (Stanley) Inhorn, Madison, WI; sisters-in-law Murtis Smith, Waterloo, IA and Bernice McCaffrey, Los Angeles, CA. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Edyth; wife of 52 years, Violet; his brothers-in-law Andrew Smith and Howard Gordanier; and his sisters-in-law Opal Gordanier and Rosamond Gordanier.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 9, 2012, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. Dayna Winke officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Sumner. Friends may call from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2012,at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Friday. Memorials can be made to the City of Sumner City Park Fund. Condolences can be sent to Mary Sherburne, 2421 Waterside Drive, Aurora, IL 60502.

Shelly Russell on August 27, 2012 at 9:26 AM said:

I am truley sorry for your loss. The obituary was beautiful and I hope the memorial services went well. My sympathies for all those mourning right now.

Kelly Seegers on March 29, 2012 at 7:22 AM said:

Sorry to hear of your father's passing. I remember many times going into the old IH shop in Sumner and seeing him there.
Our prayers go out to your families.

Dianne Fuller on March 13, 2012 at 2:29 AM said:

My sympathies to all of you. Sorry I did not get this sent earlier. Bob was a friend of Dad's and we all liked him. Linda you have been in my prayers along with the rest of the family.

Gerald and Janice Rayner on March 11, 2012 at 11:19 AM said:

Sorry to learn of your father's passing. We last heard from him in a Christmas letter in 2010. An eye appointment at Univ. of Iowa Hospital for Gerald prevented us from coming to Sumer. Thinking of you at this time.

Curt Diemer on March 9, 2012 at 5:56 AM said:

I'm so sorry to hear the passing of a great man. I remember Bob when it was Sherburne's International Harvestor. He was always smiling and joking around. He will be greatly missed. My prayers are with his children at this difficult time.

Diane Foster on March 8, 2012 at 2:00 PM said:

My sincere sympathy goes out to all the Sherburne family. I was a co-worker with Vi at Sumner Hospital. I did not realize that she had also passed away. We always had some good laughs at work and the Christmas party's. Let them both be together again in God's kingdom. With deep saddness, Diane

Marilyn and John Christensen on March 8, 2012 at 8:21 AM said:

We were so sorry to hear about Bob. The Sherburnes were such good neighbors and we missed them when they moved. Bob always had a good joke to tell and loved telling them. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Marilyn and John

Carol Burdick on March 7, 2012 at 1:32 PM said:

My Heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Father and Grandfather. Both Bob and Vi were wonderful friends, parents, and grandparents. They will certainly be missed by all who knew and loved them. A special though and prayer to my son-in-law Bradley Sherburne.

Becjky Christensne Davies on March 6, 2012 at 5:42 PM said:

I am sorry to hear your Dad died. I pray for peace and comfort for the entire family in the coming days. May the memories bring smiles to your faces as you celebrate his life.

Gretchen (Gitch) Warkentin on March 6, 2012 at 5:41 PM said:

Mary,
I was saddened to read about the death of your father. You, and your family, are in my thoughts and prayers. Gretchen

Deb Schemmel on March 6, 2012 at 5:10 PM said:

I worked with your mom at CMH for years, and always enjoyed your folks! They would go out of their way to include others in what was going on. Bob was always good for giving JR and me a hard time:) May your memories be a comfort to you now and a treasure in the years to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Deb, JR and Kyle Schemmel

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