Robert O. Boseck

Robert O. Boseck, son of Robert Edward and Thelma Inez Mann Boseck, was born on November 29, 1927 in Griswold, Iowa. He left this world on October 27, 2019, at Risen Son Christian Village in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at the age of 91. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Shirley Mae Goforth Boseck. He was baptized into Christ when he was twelve years old at Central Church of Christ in Griswold. He graduated from Griswold High School where he enjoyed playing his saxophone in the Griswold marching band. He was somewhat mischievous and know as the class clown. He often got into fights just for the fun of it, and to top it all off, he was voted as the happiest-go-lucky kid in the whole town. His big smile took him a long way.

During World War II, Bob (or Bobby, or Bubbling Bobby) worked in the Laco Oil Burner factory. He also helped build houses and worked at Gateway Iron Works in Omaha, as well as for his dad at Boseck Oil and Ford Motor Company.

Bob met his future bride on a blind date at a church hayride and knew from the beginning that this was the girl for him. From Missouri, Shirley May had little experienced dating, and Bob thought he would teach Shirley Mae all he knew, but instead, she flipped him over until he knew what was the best for the both of them. They were united in marriage on August 8, 1949, and while still working for his dad, Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1952. He served in the Corps of Engineers as a secretary at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. While at Fort Belvoir, his son Michael Lee was born. Bob was discharged in January 1954 and returned to work for his dad. Canda Sue was born in 1955.

Bob and Shirley Mae were active in the church choir, teaching fifth grade boys and helping with the young group. At the same time, Bob was praying to his Heavenly Father about going to Bible College. Bob wanted to go to Bible College to be a better teacher and worker for the Lord and return to work for his dad as he had previously. However, his dad suggested, “Why not go fulltime and become a minister?” This thought had never entered Bob’s mind. He would later enjoy telling people, “I prayed to my Heavenly Father, and my earthly father gave me the answer.” So after much thought and prayer, Bob came home to the brand new house he had built especially for Shirley Mae and let his family know they were going to buy a mobile home and move to Norfolk to attend Nebraska Christian College. Upon reflection, what amazed Bob many years later was that Shirley Mae never said one word!

After attending Nebraska Christian College for two years, Bob wondered where God might lead his family. More than once he would hold Shirley Mae in his arms and cry, fearful of the future. He need not have worried. Soon the president of the college asked him to preach at Madison, Nebraska and again later in Ute, Nebraska. Then, he was called to be the youth pastor at First Christian Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for six years before receiving a call to be the preacher in Cozad, Nebraska. He was in Cozad for another six years before returning to First Christian Church in Council Bluffs, where he served as Minister of Visitation for twenty-three years. Bob was fond of telling everyone how Shirley Mae was his right-hand girl and helped him in all his many ministries through the years. She was always there when needed, day and night. Bob retired in 1997.

Bob realized that God had been guiding him his whole life. He enjoyed his other ministries, but to him First Christian Church was the friendliest and most loveable church in the whole wide world—a fulfillment of his personal goal for the church since 1962. When Bob retired, they gifted him the parsonage, where he and Shirley Mae had been living during their ministry.

All Bob says in conclusion is: Happy Day and Three Cheers! And may the Lord of Heaven bless you in a special way. He’ll be waiting for you by the eastern gate. Why? We do not know…Just be there when the time comes, which will be very soon. Why? Because life goes by fast. Yes it does... Just ask me. See you there.

Funeral and celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday October 31, 2019 at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Visitation will be during the hour prior to the service. Robert will be buried next to Shirley Mae in Griswold, Iowa. Memorials are suggested to Nebraska Christian College.