ROBERT GERED (BOB) HEITSTUMAN, 86, of Colton, WA passed away on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Guardian Angel Homes in Lewiston, ID. Bob, also fondly known as Doc, was born June 20, 1926 in Colton, WA to Ben Heitstuman and Catherine Becker Heitstuman. Bob grew up in Colton, attended school in Colton and graduated from high school in 1944. Bob married Joyce Druffel on Oct. 3, 1951 in Colton where they made their home on the family farm in the house that they built. They were married 60 years when Joyce passed away on May 6, 2012.
Bob was a farmer in the summer and a carpenter in the winter. He devoted much of his time to community service, including St. Gall’s Catholic Church (he and Joyce built several of the altars in the church), serving Colton as fire chief, mayor and city councilman. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Uniontown Co-Op, and an avid supporter of the home town sports teams. Bob and Joyce enjoyed family time at their vacation cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene and watching their grandchildren participate in all of their activities.
Bob is survived by his children Sandi (Mike) Kramer; Nancy (Mike) Heitstuman-Partlow ; Brenda (Ed) Wolf and Rick (Debbie) Heitstuman; his grandchildren Courtney Kramer (Dustin Johnson); Gretchen Kramer, Blair Partlow, Taylor Partlow, Blake (Kasey) Wolf, Zack Wolf, Nick Heitstuman, Meghan Heitstuman and great grandson Cade Wolf. Bob is also survived by sisters Mary Ellen Kramer and Monica Olson and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by siblings Bernice Hodges, Oscar Heitstuman, Caroline Knopes, James Heitstuman, Dolores Meyer, Thomas Heitstuman, and Annette Curran.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to caregivers Jessie Penman and Alice Crim. The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 AM on Friday, August 17, 2012 at St. Gall Catholic Church in Colton, WA. Funeral Mass will follow at 10 AM. Vault interment will take place at St. Gall Catholic Cemetery. Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman, WA is caring for the family. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the St. Gall Endowment Fund, the Colton/Uniontown EMS Fund or Inland Northwest Blood Center, 210 W. Cataldo Ave., Spokane, WA 99201.
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