Funeral Services For Robert F. Schalk

Robert F. Schalk, 75 of Cedar Rapids, NE passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at his home in Cedar Rapids, NE. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 12, 2016 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, NE with Msgr. Ralph Steffensmeier officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Primrose, NE, with military rites conducted by Dan Cox American Legion Post #44 of Cedar Rapids, NE. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, at the church with a 7:30 p.m. wake service. Visitation will resume Friday morning at the church from 9 a.m. until service time. 

Levander Funeral Home of Cedar Rapids and Albion, NE is in charge of arrangements. 

Robert F. Schalk, the son of Frank and L. Frieda (Velder) Schalk was born on July 25, 1940 at Neligh, NE. He attended elementary at the Little Red School House west of Albion and graduated from Primrose High School in 1958. 

On February 11, 1959 Bob entered the United States Army and was honorably discharged on January 31, 1961 as a CPL. 

Bob was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Joan Figgner on August 8, 1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Primrose, NE. They lived in Albion where Bob worked for Coakes Standard gas station. In the early 60’s they moved to Newman Grove where he owned and operated Schalk’s 66 Service Station. In 1976 they moved to Cedar Rapids and started Schalk’s Conoco Service and later Bob’s Auto Sales. He then extended his business to Spalding and eventually Albion where he owned and operated Schalk Ford which later became Schalk Auto, Inc. 

Bob was a member of the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. He was an avid racecar driver and a 15 year member of the G.O.T.R.A. (Good Ol’ Time Racing Association). He still raced his 1936 Chevy Coupe #66s up until the last couple of years. Bob also enjoyed attending car shows and attending the weekly car auctions. Bob and Joan loved to go gambling and were very successful at the dollar slots. He traveled often to car auctions in Denver, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Omaha, and Lincoln with his sons and grandsons. Bob loved spending time with his family, friends and racing buddies, he also loved spending his weekends with his family, and watching westerns and NASCAR races. 

Bob passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at his home in Cedar Rapids after fighting ALS for the past year. 

Bob is survived by his loving wife Joan; his seven children: Mike and wife Regina, Korina Molt and husband Kevin of Cedar Rapids, NE, Patty Schalk of Grand Island, NE, Mark and wife Angie, Susie Ritterbush and husband Jay, Joel and wife Dee, and Sara Sears and husband Dustin all of Cedar Rapids, NE; 22 grandchildren: Terry Schalk and wife Shayleen, Jesse Schalk and wife Lisa, Casey Schalk, Bryan Molt and wife Breanna, Bryce Molt, Lana Molt, Bobby Olson and husband Brett, Kelly Grim and husband Mike, Joey Zweiner, Joni Zweiner, Shauna Bittner and husband Brad, Jonathan Schalk, Joshua Ritterbush and wife Shaylee, Jacob Ritterbush, Maria and Miranda Ritterbush, Grace, Hope, and Dane Schalk, Mike and Rose Murcek, and Max Sears; 8 great-grandchildren: Kaelyn and Hailey Schalk, Bailey and Brinley Olson, Rex Myers, Grant, Jase, and Jaida Bittner; 2 sisters: Linda Carter of Tilden and Darlene Vetick and husband Ed of Lyons, NE, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, twin infant brothers, his brother Lenny in childhood, and his brother Jerome.

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