Robert "Bob" L. Oostra

Robert Oostra, age 79, of Hull, IA, went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at the Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Carmel Reformed Church of Carmel, Iowa, with Reverend Mike Pitsenberger officiating.  Interment will follow the service in the Carmel Church Cemetery.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 5-7PM on Friday, October 16, 2020 at the Carmel Reformed Church. 

Social Distancing will be practiced and mask wearing is encouraged. 

Robert Lee Oostra was born, on May 13, 1941, to John and Kate (Van Surksum) Oostra in Rock Valley, Iowa.   He grew up in the Rock Valley area and attended school through the eighth grade.

On September 22, 1961, Bob was joined in marriage to Muriel Sandbulte at the Carmel Reformed Church.  The couple made their home in Hull, Iowa where they would stay their entire married life.   Bob worked for several years at Hi-Way Body shop in Hull and later owned and operated it until his retirement.  He then worked parttime at the Boyden Hull High School as a janitor where he thoroughly enjoyed visiting with students and staff, thanks Randy!  Bob’s beloved wife, Muriel, died in January 2019 after 58 years of marriage.

Bob was a longtime member of Carmel Reformed Church where he served as an Elder and participated in many Bible studies and faithfully attended prayer meetings. 

In his free time, Bob enjoyed being outdoors, mowing the lawn (got to mow lawn, got to mow lawn), fishing, and gardening.  Bob loved spending time with family and neighbors and could often be found reading his Bible.

Those left to cherish his memory are his five children: Nelson and Wanda Oostra of Hull, IA, Orlin and Kristi Oostra of Hull, IA, LaBeth and Mark Hoekstra of Hull, IA, Ryan Oostra of Boyden, IA, and John and Shantel Oostra of Sheldon, IA; 18 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; siblings:  Bill Oostra of Winneconne, WI, Andrew and Wilmina “Tootie” Oostra of Rock Valley, IA, Teresa Oostra of Rock Valley, IA; in-laws, Johanna and Rev. Arnold Punt of Sioux Center, IA, Lois Van Maanen of Rock Valley, IA, Norma and John Boogerd of Hull, IA, Retta Van Kley of Rock Valley, IA, Carol Van Voorst of Hull, IA; sisters-in-law, Leona Sandbulte of Luverne, MN, Florence Sandbulte of Rock Valley, IA, Betty Sandbulte of Sioux Center, IA and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by: his wife, Muriel Oostra; his parents; two grandsons: Brandon Allen Oostra and James Lee Oostra; brother, Andrew Oostra; brothers and sisters-in-law: Rich (Geraldine) Oostra, Ralph (Cynthia, Henrietta), John (Liz) Oostra, Gerald (Gert) Oostra, Marinus (Alice) Oostra; sisters and brothers-in-law:  Berdina (Gerrit) Van Maanen, Mary (Ray) Grooters, and Ruth (Gerrit) Van Engen and sister-in-law, Lois Oostra as well as several members of the Sandbulte family.