Robert “Bob” Rima,

Tuesday, February 24, 2015 2:47 pm

Robert “Bob” Rima, 88, of Decorah, died Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Organist was Mary Beth Bouska. Cantor was Cindy Schissel. Hymns were  “Here I am, Lord,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “On Eagle’s Wings” and “How Great Thou Art.” Lectors were Cynthia Rima and Tonya Moe. Offertory gift bearers were Gracie Rima and Kelsey Rima. Casket bearers were all of Bob’s grandsons. Military rites at graveside were by Decorah veterans groups, Decorah. Interment was at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery, Decorah. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah.

Robert “Bob” Francis Rima was born March 20, 1926, the son of Ward and Florence (McIntyre) Rima in Decorah. Bob attended St. Benedict Catholic grade school and graduated from Decorah High School in 1944. Bob served in the US Navy in the Great Lakes area from 1944-46. He was united in marriage to Agnes Schemmel Nov. 17, 1948, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cresco. Bob worked at Rima’s Tavern for a number of years before he sold it in 1976. He continued to work for Knight’s Distributing and then for Carlson’s, retiring in 1988. Bob always enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play baseball, softball and basketball all over the area. He also enjoyed building a fire in his fire pit and the people would come. He was an avid Cubs and Hawkeye fan. Bob was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church.

Bob is survived by his wife, Aggie Rima, Decorah; six children: John  (Deb) Rima, Decorah; Tom (Cindy) Rima, Decorah; Randy (Luann) Rima, Osage Beach, Mo.; Mike (Cynthia) Rima, Dacula, Ga.; Barb (friend, Arlo Warnke) Newhouse, Decorah; and Jan (Tony) Quandahl, Decorah; 13 grandchildren: Todd (Kelly) Rima, Jason (Molly) Rima, Brent (Marissa) Quandahl, Shane (Jess) Quandahl, Justin Quandahl, Michelle Rima, Stephanie Rima, Tonya (Jennifer Cira) Moe, Jessie (Morgan) Solberg, Shannon Moe, Tesha LeBahn, Maynard Newhouse and Gracie Rima; nine great-grandchildren: Kelsey Rima, Graham and Griffen Rima, Kallie Engstrom, Camryn and Karsyn Quandahl, Coy and Ruby Quandahl, Lake LeBahn, Treyton Burnikel and Kennedi Lenard; one sister-in-law, Mary Ann Billmyer, Cresco; along with several nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Ward and Florence (McIntyre) Rima; one brother, Don (Arlene) Rima; his father- and mother-in-law, Edward and Anna (Lusson) Schemmel; three brothers-in-law: Kenny Schemmel in infancy; Joe (Imogene) Schemmel; and Louis “Bud” Billmyer; sister-in-law, Dorothy (Dwain “Duke”) Dusheck.