Robert Ernest "Bob" Pieper, 86 years, of Pella, Iowa and formerly of Houghton, Iowa died early Sunday morning, March 22, 2015, with his bride at his bedside holding his hand, at The Cottages, Pella, Iowa. He was born March 17, 1929 in rural Lee County, Iowa, a son of Ernest A. and Elizabeth M. (Holtkamp) Pieper. On July 15, 1950, he married the love of his life Evelyn M. Sanders at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Houghton, Iowa.

Bob was a 1948 graduate of St. John's High School, Houghton, Iowa. He was a farmer. When he was younger, he worked as a lineman for the Hoopeston, Illinois telephone company for 9 years. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Houghton and St. Mary's Catholic Church, Pella. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a 4th Degree Knight. He was a past president of the Lee County Cattleman's Association and past member of the Fort Madison School Board. Bob and his wife, Evie, loved to travel and wintered in Arizona for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Evelyn Pieper, of Pella, Iowa; four sons: Rick (Alice) Pieper, of Wever, Iowa; Randy (Kathy) Pieper, of New London, Iowa; Lee (Linda) Pieper, of Houghton, Iowa; and John (Sandy) Pieper, of Ankeny, Iowa; three daughters: Beth (David) Hector, of Omaha, Nebraska; Lori Pieper (Lori Bye), of Surprise, Arizona; and Jill (Gary) Konfrst, of Pella, Iowa; two brothers, Bud (Glorine) Pieper, of Fort Madison, Iowa and Bernie (Mary) Pieper, of North Platte, Nebraska; 20 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Henry Pieper and John Pieper, and two sisters, Agnes Pieper and Marge Anderson.

A Rosary will be recited at 3:00 pm Thursday, March 26, 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Houghton, Iowa. Visitation will follow and continue until 6:00 pm Thursday evening. A Christian Vigil Service will be held at 6:00 pm Thursday at the church. Following the services Thursday his body will be cremated. Mass of Christian Burial with his cremated remains present will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, March 28, 2015 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Houghton, Iowa with Reverend Bruce DeRammelaere and Reverend Jeff Belger, as Celebrants and Deacon Don Efinger, assisting. Burial of his cremated remains will be at St. John's Cemetery, Houghton, Iowa. In addition, his family will greet friends from 4:00 - 6:00 pm Friday, March 27, 2015 in the Atrium of The Cottages, 1742 Main Street, Pella, Iowa. A memorial has been established, contributions may be left during the listed services or mailed to the Barr-Holtkamp Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.O. Box 247, West Point, Iowa 52656 .