Robert “Bob” Stall, 89, of Ankeny IA, formerly of Spirit Lake and Estherville, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Story Point Assisted Living in Ankeny.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Visitation will be start at noon. Burial will be held in the Lake View Gardens Cemetery in Okoboji. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
Robert Lee Stall was born on December 20, 1936, to Lyle and Alvina (Doyscher) Stall in Fairmont MN as an only child. After he graduated from High School in Jackson, he served his country in the National Guard for 6 years. Bob was united in marriage to June Ann Ziehl on April 14, 1957, in Mankato MN after meeting on a blind date. He started his career in the farm & home business at Bob’s Fleet Supply in Jackson, then opened Stall’s Distributing in Estherville in 1961 in the building that is now Mother Natures. The store was renamed to Stall’s Farm & Home and moved to the Kinnard’s Dairy building in 1972, where it still thrives. After Bob’s retirement in 2001, he and June spent the next 15 years traveling in their 5th-wheel camper and making new friends wherever they went.
Bob was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Estherville and most recently First Lutheran Church in Milford. In his younger years he was the president of Jaycees, served on the church council, served on the Emmet County School Board, board member and chairman of Lakeland Area Education Agency and served on the Board of Directors and Merchandising Committee of Wheatbelt Merchandising Inc. He was most proud of his roles with the Iowa Retarded Citizens as president and on the Residential Care Committee, advocating for his son Gary and people like him.
Bob’s accomplishments in work and volunteerism only begin to paint a picture of the robust and rich life he lived. Bob’s family will forever remember him for his stories, his love for fishing, camping, snowmobiling, cards, Jokers (on boards he made) and his golden rule: ice cream for dessert always. He was a top-notch handyman at heart and always willing to lend those talents. Bob built a comfortable life for his family from the ground up. His life emulated 1 Corinthians 16:13-14: “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Do everything in love.” Due to the tragedy that is dementia, his close friends and family watched Bob slowly deteriorate over the last decade. But his legacy remained true to the end. We are grateful for the example he gave us to live out now as a family.
Bob is survived by his wife of 69 years, June Ann of Ankeny IA; sons Brian (Melanie) of Huxley IA, Todd of Spirit Lake IA; grandchildren Patrick (Jade Suganuma), Des Moines IA, Stephanie (Micah) Farenik, Albany OR, Nicholas, San Antonio TX; and their new great granddaughter Eleanor Farenik.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son Gary.
Memorials may be made in Robert’s name and directed to Exceptional Opportunities at 310 Wisconsin St., Burt, IA 50522