Robert "Jiggs" Stonewall

Robert “Jiggs” Stonewall, 92, of Grinnell, passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at his home.

Memorial visitation for Jiggs will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to a charity of your choice. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Jiggs and his family.

Jiggs’ life began on a small acreage 2 miles north of Gilman on April 14, 1931, the 9th child and youngest son born to Gifford and Hannah (Gunderson) Stonewall. He was named Robert Donald; no one knows where the nickname Jiggs originated. He married Donna Moyer on February 25, 1950 and together they raised two children, Susan and Jim. Jiggs was a lifelong caretaker of the land and known by family and friends for his watermelon and musk melon patches. Some of the greatest joys as a Grandpa were the telling of stories which may or may not have been true; teaching fantastic driving techniques such as the “Bootleggers Lag’, trips to the casino and how to pick the best watermelons.

Jiggs was an animal lover, he had pets his whole life and in recent years you could catch him wheeling his cats around on his walker or giving them rides in his gator (even kicking the grandkids out so the cats could ride). As a proud full blooded Norwegian, he really enjoyed his kumla and would travel near and far to feast upon this delicacy. Uff Da!

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Donna; daughter Susan Carver of Grinnell; grandchildren, Andi Schaer of Rowlett, Texas; Jessi (Andy) Burklow of Newton and Drew (Sofie) Stonewall of Waukee; great grandchildren Courtney Schaer, Haisley and Case Stonewall; great great granddaughter Addalyn Hastings; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jim; great grandson, Colin Schaer; siblings: Archie, Myron, Gerald, Frances, Maxine, Nadine, Norma (Cis), Robert and Donald; and his parents, Hannah and Gifford.