Robert F. Stelplugh

HOUSTON, MINN. - Robert "Bob" F. Stelplugh, 71, of Houston died on Sunday, February 24, 2008, at his home. Bob was born on April 2, 1936, in Caledonia, Minn. to Homer and Florence (Manion) Stelplugh. He was raised in Looney Valley (rural Houston), and attended the Lower Looney Valley School through the eighth grade. Bob graduated from Houston High School in 1953. Bob worked for A&J Bowling Alley in Houston while attending high school. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1959. On August 20, 1960, Bob married Jean Willis in Houston. He was a meat cutter for several area businesses for a number of years. Bob then attended Winona State University for three years. While attending college Bob was also the manager of the Houston Liquor Store. He retired from Ace Telephone in Houston in 1990, after 18 years of service. He later worked at Valley High Golf Course for 15 years. Bob was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. He enjoyed making oyster stew for the Stelplugh family Christmas every year. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, playing cards and games, country music (mostly Flatten Scruggs and Johnny Cash), but most of all he loved to spend time with his two grandchildren, who affectionately knew Bob as Boompa. Bob is survived by his wife Jean; one son, Brian (Lisa) Stelplugh of LaCrescent, Minn.; two grandchildren: Annie and Bret; and two sisters: Shirley (Francis) VanGundy, and Faye Owens, both of Houston. He was preceded in death by his parents and his step-mother, Florence Beales. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 28, at the Looney Valley Lutheran Church with the Rev. Jeff Forbes officiating. Burial will be in the Silver Creek Cemetery in rural Houston. Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Hoff Funeral Homes - Houston Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. The family prefers memorials to be directed to the Houston Ambulance. Please feel free to sign the online guestbook, leave a memory of Bob, and view his tribute video at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/?id=14231