Robert Lee Turek

September 7, 1935 - September 8, 2017

A Funeral Service for Robert will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Geneva, Nebraska with Pastor Stuart Davis officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, September 18, 2017 at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Graveside Services will be held following the funeral service at the Geneva Public Cemetery. Memorials are to be directed to the family for a later designation Robert Lee Turek, son of Alice Mae Turner Turek and John Konrad Turek, Sr., was born in the Biba farmhouse near Milligan, Nebraska, on September 7, 1935. Robert Lee’s middle name was in honor of his late, maternal grandmother, Bertha Maud Lee Turner. He was the first born son of Alice and John and the first grandson of his paternal grandparents, Bozena (Bessie) Mlazovsky Turek and Frank Joseph Turek. Robert was also welcomed into this world by many proud, happy aunts and uncles and his maternal grandfather, Fred William Turner. Robert, also known as Bobby or Bob, was a happy young lad, and as many would say, “all boy”. He loved animals and had many pet dogs. His favorite pets were his dogs, Tippy and Spot. When visiting his relatives on the ranches near Bassett and Valentine, Nebraska, or spending time on the farm near Milligan, Nebraska, he would ride horses. Bob loved to hunt and fish. He did not need anything fancy to fish – a stick for a pole, a string with a hook and for bait, maybe a worm, maybe a red piece of material, or maybe a kernel of corn. With the knife he carried in his pocket and a branch from a tree, he would whittle his homemade slingshots. With cut strips of inner tubes tied onto the slingshot and a good rock for ammunition, he was ready to hunt for anything – usually a tin can. Climbing trees and broken arms were common occurrences in young Bob’s life. He wanted to see how high he could climb, but sometimes would fall to the ground. He spent hours on our homemade rope swing, seeing how high he could pump the swing. Favorite outside games involved riding his tricycles, scooters, and wagons. Hours were spent playing in the dirt under the big old elm tree. Empty tobacco cans were the perfect road graders for his many metal cars. What a happy day it was when Bobby started his first day of school. He loved school and all the friends he made there. He respected his teachers, enjoyed learning and was a very good student. Bob’s favorite subjects were reading and arithmetic. He looked forward to reading his monthly subscription of the Children’s Activities. He always wanted to learn more. As with most children, recess was a special time at school. Running outside and getting on the swings, slides, or merry-go-round was always fun, but that one day at recess changed Bob’s life forever. He fell from that big, high slide and hit his head. After that day he began to have seizures. With medication, they were controlled and he continued his fun and learning. Baseball, birthday parties, running with the guys, teasing the girls with snowballs, sledding, making May baskets were all part of this young boy’s life. Bob especially enjoyed music. He loved to sing, to whistle, and to play the accordion. During World War II Bob was very patriotic – “Our Flag” represented freedom to him, and he was proud of it. He saw many of his uncles go off to war. While they were away, he began making model airplanes with balsam wood, glue, and tissue paper. They hung from the ceiling in his room. He could identify most World War II planes. A special treat on Saturdays or Sundays was going to the movies. Western movies with Gene Autry or Roy Rogers were his favorites. He also enjoyed Lassie movies and musical movies. When Bob was nine or ten, the Turek family was baptized and joined the Congregational Church. Bob attended Sunday school and learned of God’s love. Bob’s life forever changed when he was 12. The medicine he took to control his seizures no longer worked. Surgery was needed to relieve the pressure on his brain. Bob came home a changed boy and had to relearn everything. However, the one thing he did not have to relearn was how to give love. This was the end of his public education. The decades that followed were tumultuous for him, with much time spent in mental hospitals. Finally, when Bob was in his 30’s, he was able to return home and live with his parents. He loved game shows on television, especially Jeopardy. His favorite TV music programs were Lawrence Welk and Guy Lombardo. He was a devoted listener to radio station KJSK’s polka program and loved to read the Omaha World-Herald. He especially like to write letters. Bob loved his parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, but most of all he loved his God. He taught us all how to live life and how to carry our crosses. May God welcome him with open arms. Robert Lee Turek was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts. He is survived by his brothers, John and wife, Joyce of Johnston, Iowa; William of Geneva, Nebraska; and Douglas and wife, Judy of Geneva, Nebraska; sisters, Sonja and husband, Wayne Hennessey of Panora, Iowa; and Elizabeth and husband, Richard Eisenach of Kingwood, Texas; several nieces, nephews and spouses, Mark Hennessey and wife Christie of Panora, Iowa; John Hennessey and wife, Valerie of Oakland, New Jersey; Patricia Hennessey Corbett and husband, Mitchell of Urbandale, Iowa; Michelle Hennessey Chevalier and husband, Steve of Van Meter, Iowa; Jeffery Turek and wife Wendy of Ankeny, Iowa; Jodi Turek Christensen and husband, Kevin of Johnston, Iowa; Joshua Turek and wife Brighid of Norfolk, Nebraska; Traci Turek Zelenka and husband, John of Milligan, Nebraska; Travis Turek and wife, Jill of Grand Island, Nebraska; Erich Eisenach of Kingwood, Texas; and Patrick Eisenach of Porter, Texas; and seventeen great niece and nephews, and cousins.