Robert N Stoppkotte

Robert “Bob” N. Stoppkotte, 82, of Grand Island died Thursday, March 7, 2019, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island. Memorial service will be 10:30 am Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at the Apfel Funeral Home – Grand Island. Father Martin Egging will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Gathering with the family will be 5-7 pm Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Stuhr Museum or the Crane Trust Nature Center.



Robert was born September 11, 1936, at Grand Island to Emil H. and Helen (Yeoman) Stoppkotte. He grew up in Grand Island and graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1954. He then attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney (formerly Kearney State College).



He was united in marriage to Peggy Russell on August 10, 1957, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island. Bob was employed for more than 41 years by Greenberger’s Clothiers and retired in 1998. At that time, he then worked part-time at Ben’s Pharmacy until 2002.



He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church as well as the Stuhr Museum, Crane Meadows and Rowe Sanctuary. Bob especially enjoyed gardening and tending to his flowers, and spending time watching the birds at the Nature Center.



Survivors include sons: Robert A. (Susan) Stoppkotte of Grand Island, John (Stephanie) Stoppkotte of North Platte; daughter: Tina (David) Benson of Grand Island; seven grandchildren: Steph (Jim) Barthelman, Beth (Brett) Musil, Josh (Jessica) Stoppkotte, Sarah Wiehl, Derek (fiancé Ashley) Benson, Allison Stoppkotte, and Carlye Stoppkotte; three great grandchildren; sister, Mary Garris of Wood River, and sister-in-law: Marianne Murray of Omaha; and several nieces and nephews.



He was preceded in death by his wife: Peggy in 2003; infant son: Mark Edward Stoppkotte, one sister-in-law; and three brothers-in-law.