Ihm, Robert Frances

Robert Frances Ihm, age 90 of Hollandale died on September 3 2024 at Upland Hills Health in Dodgeville, Wisconsin.  Bob was born on January 7, 1934 near Fennimore, Wisconsin to Walter John and Elizabeth Jennifer (Fuerstenburg) Ihm. The family moved to Ridgeway in 1948 where Bob attended rural school and then graduated in 1953 from Arena High School. After graduation Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Germany in a tank battalion until 1956. Bob married Jeraldine (Jeri) McDermott at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Belleville on November 5, 1958.

Following their marriage, Bob worked construction at the Monroe High School, Iowa County Jail, and other large projects. In 1959 they moved to a farm on Highway 39 in rural Hollandale, where they farmed and raised seven children together. They milked cows, and raised pigs and chickens. Bob also built his own home in 1993 and worked on other projects for friends and neighbors in the later years. 

Bob loved farming, it was his heart and soul. They milked 45-50 cows and farrowed 10 pigs at one time. He grew a huge garden every year and loved giving produce to neighbors and friends. Bob also was a strong advocate for the local 4-H club where his children participated in showing art, woodworking, garden produce, etc at the local Iowa County Fair. Bob was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Hollandale and the Knights of Columbus. Bob loved spending time with his family, friends, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Bob is survived by his children, Greg (Tracy) Ihm of Belleville, Roxy Hittesdorf of Coon Rapids, MN, Teresa Swenson (David Andersen) of Platteville, Doug (Connie) Ihm of Hollandale, Beth (Todd) Kittleson of Mineral Point, and Todd (Sara) Ihm of Hollandale, son in law Bill Howe of Roscoe, IL; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren; three siblings, Dolores Murphy of Hollandale, Jerry (Loraine) Ihm of Barneveld and Joe (Lynn) Ihm of Cobb. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Jeri Ihm, daughter Cindy Howe; granddaughters Alyssia Kittleson and Alexandra Ihm; and five siblings, Jim Ihm, Lawrence Ihm, Margaret Taylor, Rita Hannah, and John Ihm.

A visitation for Bob Ihm will be held Sunday evening, September 8, 2024, from 3:00 until 7:00 PM at Blanchard Hall at 206 S Main Street in Blanchardville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 601 Grover Street in Hollandale on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Fr.  Prabhakar Singareddy will officiate. The service will be live cast for the public on the Saether Funeral Service Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/saetherfuneralservice.  Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in rural Hollandale. A funeral luncheon will follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Saether Funeral Service in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralservice.com or the Saether Funeral Service Facebook page.