Robert Vern Echelbarger

Robert Echelbarger, 96, of Mason City, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1405 South Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City, at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025, with Pastor Nadine Ilunga officiating. A visitation will be held an hour prior at the church. Military Honors will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. Memorials may be directed towards the family of Robert Echelbarger.

Robert Vern Echelbarger was born November 19, 1928, in Lyons, Iowa, to parents Harry and Lillian (Fredrickson) Echelbarger. Bob graduated from Lyons High School in 1946. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He served in the Korean War from February 1951 until he returned home on December 25,1951 and saw his daughter, Pamela Joy, for the first time. 

Bob was united in marriage to Shirley Ann (Lane) on August 19, 1950, in Sioux City. To this union 6 children were born Pamela, Jennifer, Teresa, Robert Lane, Thomas, and Russell. Shirley passed away in June of 1980. Bob then met Sadie (VandenBosch)Christeson, and they were united in marriage July 4, 1993, at Wesley United Methodist Church. To this union Bob was blessed with three bonus children Alan, Roy, and Lisa.

Bob and Shirley were very proud to be on the board for Handicap Village (One Vision) where they helped with designs and raising money. Shirley worked there as a Volunteer Coordinator and helped plan the walk from Mason City to Clear Lake to raise money for Handicap Village.

Bob attended the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls from 1951-1955 where he would earn his bachelor's and master's degree in industrial arts and special education. He would eventually go on to teach at Roosevelt Junior High in Mason City until his retirement in 1990. He loved teaching. Up until his passing many of his former students would come up to him and tell stories about having him as a teacher.

Bob had many things he enjoyed. He loved golf, dancing, quilting, bike riding, camping, and especially fishing but most of all spending time with his family. Bob and Sadie wintered in McAllen, Texas for 17 years. You could often find them dancing, riding bikes and quilting while spending their time there.

 Bob is survived by his wife, Sadie; children, Jennifer (Dennis) Bernard, Teresa Purcell, Robert Lane Echelbarger, Thomas Echelbarger, and Russell (Dr. Lisa Kies) Echelbarger; stepchildren, Alan (Dianne) Christeson, Roy (Mary) Christeson, and Lisa (Randy) Ricke; grandchildren Nora and Paul Boyd; Danielle and David Lester; bonus grandchildren; Garrett (Katie Felter) Christeson, Brent (Morgan VanPolen) Christeson, Jon (Trista) Hauge, and bonus great-grandchildren, Jadyn and Hunter Hauge and Elin and Theo Christeson, and Brittany Loden (Christeson).

Bob is preceded in death by his wife Shirley; parents, Harry and Lillian; daughter, Pamela Echelbarger; Brothers William "Bud" (Dorothy) Echelbarger and Harry Jr. "Babe" (Barb) Echelbarger, and  Scott Christeson, Dylan, and Larry Hauge.