In Memory of Robert "Bob" Mollhoff

Robert “Bob” Mollhoff, age 81, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 26, 2021, at the United Methodist Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Rev. Ken Miller will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at the United Methodist Church of Odebolt, Iowa.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the family requests that masks be worn and social distancing rules apply. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Robert William Mollhoff, the son of William and Erma (Rhodes) Mollhoff, was born March 2, 1940, in Hawarden, IA. Bob’s childhood was spent living in Hawarden with his parents and two sisters. He attended Hawarden Community Schools where he graduated in 1959. Bob was united in marriage to Karel Kratochvil on August 18, 1961. Following their marriage, Bob and Karel lived and worked in Sioux City until August of 1964 when they moved to Springfield, SD, so Bob could attend college. Bob graduated with his degree and teaching certificate from Southern State College in 1968 and that fall he started his teaching career at Schleswig Community Schools. In 1970 Bob started work for Odebolt-Arthur Schools where he was a middle science teacher and coach until his retirement in 2004. During his time at OAMS, Mr. Mollhoff could be found in his science room in Arthur, coaching middle school football and basketball or officiating football and basketball games.

Bob was a longtime and active member of Odebolt United Methodist Church. Upon his retirement from teaching, Bob enjoyed traveling with Karel and the “couples’ group”, playing golf, watching sports, cheering on his Hawkeyes, attending the activities of his grandkids, and spending every opportunity being a loving husband, a great father and most importantly being “Papa” to his grandkids. Bob was never a man of many words but his caring and devotion to his school district, community, church, friends and most importantly family was evident through his actions.  Bob’s retirement years were spent looking forward to golf season and the fellowship of league play, fall tailgating at football games, learning to cheer on the Cyclones in addition to his Hawkeyes, and traveling to any and all activities of his cherished grandkids.

On Wednesday, April 21, 2021, Bob passed away in hospice care at Horn Memorial Hospital at the age of 81. He was preceded in death by his parents William (Bill) and Erma Mollhoff, sister in-law Karleen Kratochvil and brother in-laws, Phil Thorell, E.J. Eaton and Craig Marsh.

He will lovingly be remembered by his wife Karel Mollhoff of Odebolt, IA; sisters Beverly Eaton and Barbara Marsh both of Martin, TN; his three children: Teresa (Delane) Galvin of Ankeny, IA, Tyleen (Kevin) Smith of Tulsa, OK and Travis (Jen) Mollhoff of Carroll, IA; grandchildren: Brody Galvin, Payton Smith, Addie Smith, Tyler Mollhoff, Caden Mollhoff, Ava Mollhoff and Austin Mollhoff; several brother and sister in-laws; nieces, nephews and numerous friends.