Robert "Bob" Edward Bankes

Robert “Bob” Bankes, 92, of Union, Iowa, went to be with his Lord and Savior on the morning of February 29, 2020 at the Iowa River Hospice Home with his family at his side. A celebration of life service will be held for Bob on Monday, March 2, 2020 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the American Humane Society. For additional information or to leave a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com or phone 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Bob and his family. Robert Edward Bankes was born on August 25, 1927 to parents Otto and Theo (Nelson) Bankes in Vernon, Wisconsin. He was the only child born to Otto and Theo. Theo passed shortly after Bob was born and Otto later married Mary (Hubbard). Bob attended high school and graduated from Elkader High School in the class of 1945. Following high school, he continued additional education in the agricultural field. Bob was united in marriage to his wife Kathleen “Kathy” Norman on June 30, 1981 in Union, Iowa where the two called home. Bob worked a variety of jobs and fields but had spent a majority of his professional career working in Eldora at the State Training School where he had taught HVAC classes to those who resided at the school. Bob will be remembered most as a hard worker, one who enjoyed his fishing trips, spending time with his family, and going square dancing with his wife Kathy. Left to remember his memory are his wife of 38 years Kathy Bankes; children Joel (Karen) Bankes, Julia Buis, Allan (Debbie) Bankes, Lee Collins, Kristeen Perkins, Mark (Kibby) Collins, Kelly Kadner, and Matt Demmel; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren with one on the way; his uncle Harry Hubbard; numerous nieces and nephews; and his nine, four legged furry companions. He was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Theo Bankes; his step mother Mary Bankes; and his step-grandson Joel Robert Demmel.