Robert D. Vander Leest, 76, of Grinnell, died Thursday, May 1, 2014, at Mayflower Health Care Center. Funeral services were held May 6 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grinnell. Interment was at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Trinity Lutheran Church.
Bob was born on June 14, 1937, in Iowa City to Neal and Mary Ver Steegt Vander Leest. He was raised on an acreage near Sully and graduated from Sully High School. Following his education, he worked various jobs in Sully and Montezuma. He also owned and operated his own gas station in Montezuma.
On Jan. 3, 1968, he was united in marriage to Doris Ruth Foster. The couple lived in Grinnell and he worked as an inventory supervisor at the Donaldson Company for over 30 years.
Bob was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church and the Grinnell Saddle Club. He enjoyed outdoor activities and fishing. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and NASCAR fan and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Doris Vander Leest of Grinnell; his children, Jodi (Tom) Lannom of Chanhassen, MN, and Joel (Jen) Vander Leest of Grinnell; five grandchildren; one brother, Vernon Vander Leest of Grinnell; and three sisters, Dorothy (Everett) Lane of Grinnell, Helen (Fred) Schmidt of Lynnville, and Evelyn (Ronald) Roll of Colfax.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Verlan, who died in infancy; and his half brothers and sisters: Viola Mae Vander Leest, Gerdena Vander Leest, Gertrude Ver Steegt, Cora Van Wyk, Wilma Van Genderen, Walter Vander Leest, James Vander Leest, Clifford Vander Leest, and Lester Vander Leest.
