Robert "Bob" Charles Strietelmeier

Robert Charles Strietelmeier died peacefully on April 8, 2023 at 93 years of age. He was born on December 17, 1929 to Charles and Esther (Kiel) Strietelmeier in Columbus, Indiana. He attended elementary school and was confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1948, his graduation date delayed by contracting the polio virus in his junior year. He recovered and served in the US Army from 1951-1953 as a medic in the 121st Evac Hospital in Korea.

Upon his return from Korea back to Columbus, he met and married his wife of 60 years, Hester Ahlemeyer. They lived in Columbus until 2000, when they were both retired and moved to Highlands Ranch, Colorado to be near their children and grandchildren. Hester preceded Bob in death in 2014.

Bob spent his working life as a dairy farmer for several decades, then strictly as a grain farmer, along with working as a substitute US mail carrier for 10 years. He also had a secondary career as an agent for Indiana Farmers Mutual Insurance for over 30 years, proudly winning several low loss ratio awards.

Bob and Hester were founding members of Faith Lutheran Church in 1962, where they remained members until moving to Colorado. During that time, Hester played the organ, and Bob held nearly every leadership position and office. With Hester’s urging, he also learned how to sing in the choir, which he greatly enjoyed. While living in Columbus, he served on the board of Farmers Marketing Assc (now Premier Ag) for 20 years, with several terms as president and vice president. He also served on the boards of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (Indiana District), the Bartholomew County United Way, and the Lutheran Community Home in Seymour.

Bob and Hester were avid sports fans, particularly enjoying the Indiana University Hoosiers, where they had basketball and football season tickets for many years. He had a lifetime love of motor sports centered around the Indy 500. Although he chose to never attend the race in person, he did make annual trips to the speedway during the month of May. He loved the Indianapolis Colts and was happy to become a Denver Broncos fan when Peyton made the move. Bob was also a voracious reader of many newspapers and magazines, and always had at least one book in progress. He particularly enjoyed military history and of course, sports.

Bob’s greatest pleasure and pride, though, was his family. He tried to never miss a game or performance by his children and grandchildren (and there were many). He and Hester set a high bar as grandparents and will be forever missed by children Sherry Hoerl (Don) and Dan Strietelmeier (Jill), grandchildren Rebecca Vierhaus (Eric), Julie Hoerl (Ken Rettberg), Blaire Mallahan (Jack), Trent Strietelmeier, and Scott Strietelmeier, and great-grandchildren Alma Rettberg, Anders Rettberg, and Rowan Mallahan. He always enjoyed time with his nieces and nephews Debbie, Ed, Leslie, Lisa, John Mark, Chad and Addie and sister in law Diane. Along with his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by brothers in law Ed and Dave and sister in law Virginia.

Bob was also an example to all who knew him in how to overcome physical hardship. In addition to suffering from polio as a teenager, he was badly injured in a farming accident when he was 40 years old.This resulted in amputation of his left leg, but he continued to farm, play golf, travel, and enjoy all other aspects of his life after a short recovery period. In March of 2020, he contracted Covid at 90 years of age and fought off a second round of it later that year. The effects of covid necessitated his move to the Care Center at Vi at Highlands Ranch, where he had lived independently for the previous five years. The Care Center became his home for almost three years and the staff, a second family. We are grateful to the Vi nursing and therapy staff for their extraordinary care and attention, especially during the isolation of the pandemic years.

A memorial service will be held at 9:30 am on April 25 at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 10304 W Belleview Ave, Littleton CO 80127. Interment will follow at 11:15 at Ft Logan National Cemetery, 4400 W. Kenyon Ave, Denver CO 80236. Anyone who wishes to do so may make a donation in Bob’s memory to a charity of their choice.