Robert Tvedt

Robert Allen Tvedt was born May 1, 1929 in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Sam and Christena (McCoy) Tvedt. On November 9, 2019, at the age of 90, he passed away, being remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather!

Bob attended Montour Elementary and High School where he graduated in 1946. His pursuit of excellence during his high school years was revealed not only on the basketball court and baseball field, but in the classroom as well. Representing the little town of Montour, he was voted as a member of the First Team All-State in basketball his senior year. Academically, he ranked number one out of all the male students in his graduating class that year. The Danforth Foundation Award for Leadership was presented to him on April 14, 1946.

While in high school, Bob became smitten with the beautiful homecoming queen of St. Mary’s Catholic HS in Marshalltown, Lucille Welsh. Her brother, Bud, a basketball player for rival St. Mary’s, became friends with Bob, and ended up introducing the two…they were later married on February 28, 1949.

After high school, he received a basketball scholarship to State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa where he attended for two years. He returned home to the farm and partnered with his father, Sam Tvedt.

The teacher motivation, however never left his heart. Bob served the youth of Montour and elsewhere as the 4-H Leader of the Montour Trailblazers, teaching leadership skills and encouraging the young boys and girls to pursue farm related industries, careers, and the community of farm life. He lent his sports expertise by coaching girls’ softball teams, and employed many of the athletes of South Tama County High School for summer jobs on the farm (no doubt some of the best off-season conditioning those boys ever enjoyed)!

Bob farmed with his dad until 1974 and continued to farm on his own when his dad passed away. With a son that was a year-round athlete and 6 daughters, he was essentially on his own. What free time he did have, he spent with his family, fully engaged in the raising, training, and showing his beautiful Arabian horses.

Bob’s activities beyond the home front extended to his work of equestrian therapy at the Oakdale Boys Home in Marshall County, mixing his love for horses and the teacher in him to help at-risk kids. He was a faithful participant in the Promise Keepers men’s ministry. And he was an active member of Rock Power Church in Des Moines.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Muriel Tvedt; brother, Jerome Tvedt; and son in law, Terry Peters.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille Tvedt; children, Teresa (John) Pagan from Bettendorf, Deborah Peters from West Des Moines, Collette (Ron) Brammer from Des Moines, Mary (Jim) Hoffa from Lakeland, Tennessee, Bill (Julie) Tvedt from Oskaloosa, Elizabeth (Frank) Cabral from Waukee, and Jackie (Joe) Zein from Haverhill; grandchildren, Rebekka (Bob) Hansel, Joe (Millie) Peters, Maggie (Ilimdar) Tairov, John Brammer, Joe (Abbie) Brammer, Sarah Brammer, Hannah Brammer, Katie (Jared) Welch, Annie (Steve) Lutes, Elizabeth (Jesse) Wagner, Sam (McKennan) Tvedt, Nathan Tvedt, Rachel Tvedt, Jacob (Katie) Houghton, and Lauren Kahlon; and 14 great grandchildren and one on the way.

Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, Des Moines, Iowa 50315. Memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. also at the funeral home. Graveside service will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Maple Hill Cemetery, Montour, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Robert.

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