Bobby Joe Waltman

Funeral services for Bob Waltman will be held 10:30 A.M. Friday March 19, 2010 at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Stewartville, MN with the Rev John Grams officiating. Burial will be in the Grand Meadow Cemetery. Friends may call at the Hindt Funeral Home in Grand Meadow from 4-7 P.M. on Thursday and 1hr prior to the service at the church on Friday. Mr. Waltman, age 76, of Grand Meadow died Tuesday March 16, 2010 at his home. Bobby Joe Waltman was born August 12, 1933 in Ceylon, MN to Roy Waltman and Lila (Trainer) Waltman. He graduated from Ceylon High School in 1951 and joined the United States Air Force Later that same year. He was stationed in Phoenix, Arizona during the Korean Conflict and was discharged in 1955. On February 14, 1956 he was united in marriage to Jeri Stade in Fairmont, MN and they had three children, Vicky, Lori and Chris. They lived in Phoenix where Bob worked at the Luke Air Base as an aircraft mechanic until 1958 when they moved to St Louis, MO where he worked at McDonnell Douglas as an aircraft mechanic. In 1961 they moved to Rochester, MN where he worked at Gopher Aviation as the lead mechanic. His love of airplanes was shown by his many jobs in the airplane industries, his FAA aircraft mechanic license,Commercial pilot license, and the ownership of his own airplane. They moved to Elgin, MN in 1963 when they purchased a grocery store there. In the 18 years in the grocery business they acquired 2 more stores, one in Millville and one in Plainview. He was a board member of the Associated Grocers where he served as the president and was also a board member of the Minnesota Food Retailers Association and the Supermarket Research Council. Bob became very involved in Elgin organizations. He helped organize the Elgin Lions where he was an officer. He also belonged to the Elgin American Legion. He drove school bus for many years and was instrumental in the building of the Plainview Golf course. His leadership abilities led to his next occupation in the Minnesota Legislature after retiring from the grocery business in 1981.In 1982 Bob ran for the open seat in District 26B for the Minnesota House of Representatives. He took office in 1983 and remained until 1994 when he retired. He served on many committees during his tenure in the legislature including agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Government Operations, Regulated Industries and Energy, Capital Investment, Economic Development, Infrastructure and Regulation Finance, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs and Elections. After his retirement from the legislature they bought an acreage in Grand Meadow where he resided up until his death. Bob and Jeri loved to traveling. They were fortunate to have traveled to all the U.S. States, England, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Mexico, China, Japan, Scotland, Chile, and several cruises. The love of travel was instilled in their children and they were able to travel with children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren many times.Bob also found time to become an auctioneer, work on old cars, enjoy woodworking, painting, carving, tinker in his shop and most importantly spend time with his friends and family. Bob's love of God was a strength for him throughout his illness. Bob started a bible study while in the legislature. He was also chairman of the board for the ministry of Discovery Leadership. He witnessed to others through his illness and knew his finale destination.He is survived by his wife Jeri of Grand Meadow, children; Vicky (Gary) Vogt of Spring Valley, Lori (Tim) Glover of Lexington, MN and Chris (Lori) Waltman of Seattle, Washington, 13 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren (with 2 on the way) and a sister Norma Jean Thiesse of Rochester, MN He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings; Ralph, Ruth, Terry, Kenny and Buddy. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the family or to the Ministry of Discovery Leadership P.O. Box 91 Monroe, Washington 98272Condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com

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