ROBERT W. "BOB" BJORK , 88, of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at his residence surrounded by his family.

Graveside memorial services will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Remsen Cemetery at Remsen, Iowa.  Pastor Larry Ostercamp will officiate.  Visitation with the family present will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa. Bob's family would like to invite everyone to 5096 Highway 3 for a time of lunch and fellowship following the graveside service in Remsen.

Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.   The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Bob was born on April 13, 1935 at the family farm near Remsen, Iowa, weighing 2 lbs 13 oz to John Henry and Alma (Christopherson) Bjork.  He was so tiny that heslept in a shoebox.  Bob spent his childhood years on the family farm with his parents, grandparents, and aunts.  When his father died in 1945, Bob, his mother and baby brother moved into Remsen.  As a kid in Remsen, Bob sold popcorn outside the movie theatre and also worked at the movie theatre.  When his mother married Elmer Schiltz, the family moved to the Schiltz family farm near Remsen.  Bob attended Remsen schools through 8th grade.  He then moved onto a farm with his aunt and uncle.  He worked as a farmhand for a few years at different farms.

In 1953, he met Marilyn "Pug" Lickiss at the skating rink in Cherokee, Iowa and they were married on December 27, 1953. The couple moved between Remsen, LeMars, Cherokee, and finally settled in Larrabee, Iowa, where they lived for over 55 years.  They welcomed 5 children together; Dawn, Russell, Terri, Pamela, and Denise.  Bob worked many jobs over the years; farmhand, mechanic, truck driver, and construction.  He retired after 20 years at Wilson Foods in Cherokee in 1999.  He drove a mail route for a few years after that.

During their retirement years, Bob and Pug enjoyed fishing, camping and traveling, especially to Las Vegas, and spending time with their children and many grandchildren.  He also had a handyman service working for family, friends, and customers in the area.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, infant brother Russell, brother Denny, also several nieces and nephews.

Bob is survived by his wife, Marilyn of almost 70 years of Cherokee, Iowa; children Dawn Bjork of Larrabee, Iowa, Russell (Sheri) Bjork of Center Point, Iowa, Terri (Todd) Webb of Cherokee, Iowa, Pamela Bjork of Larrabee, Iowa, and Denise (Tracy) Kraft of Cherokee, Iowa; 18 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren and 23 great-great grandchildren.