Robert D. Tysdal

Robert Tysdal, 83, of Clarion passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2015 in Clarion.

Funeral services for Bob Tysdal will be held Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 10:30 AM at the United Church of Christ Congregational, 115 3^rd Avenue Northwest in Clarion, with Pastor Bill Kem officiating.

Visitation for Bob Tysdal will be held Friday, April 17, 2015 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. 

Robert Dean Tysdal, Sr. was born April 25, 1931 to Melvin and Harriet (Poolman) Tysdal on the family farm near Galt.  Bob graduated from Clarion High School with the Class of 1949.

Following high school, Bob worked as a hired man for a few area farmers before enlisting in the United States Navy along with two of his cousins, Harlan Poolman and Darwin Marker.  He served during the Korean Conflict.

During his Navy career, Bob was stationed in Kingsville, Texas for a time, where he met Shirley Davis.  The couple was married August 22, 1954 at the First Baptist Church in Alice, Texas.  They made their home in Texas while Bob was deployed on the U.S.S. Intrepid and later moved to Florida until Bob’s discharge from the service, when they moved back to the Dows and Galt area to farm.

Bob attended Iowa State University and was certified as a dairy tester.  He later sold Farm Bureau insurance for a few years before beginning a career with Schwann’s Ice Cream.  Bob was subsequently promoted and the family spent 3 years in Atlantic, Iowa and 4 years in Taylor, Texas.

When the family returned to Iowa, Bob became a franchise owner in Charles Potato Chips, servicing communities in north central and north west Iowa for nearly 30 years.  Bob loved being around people and serving his customers.  He received numerous honors and awards during his career, including salesman of the year several times.

Bob was an avid Hawkeye fan, enjoyed watching college sports on TV, fishing and golfing (he even had a hole-in-one at Clarmond).  He also enjoyed being outside, mowing the lawn, tinkering and fixing up the house.  He also loved reading western novels and his Bible every morning.

Bob was kind and friendly to everyone, was always smiling and loved the Lord.  He loved and was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bob was a member of the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion, where he taught Sunday School for many years.  He was a lifetime member of Clarion VFW Post 2612 and previously served as Commander.

Bob is survived by his wife Shirley of Clarion; children Robert (Diana) Dean Tysdal Jr. of Katy, Texas, Ronald Duane Tysdal of Canyon Lake, Texas, and Rachel Diane Brownell of Urbandale, Iowa; grandchildren Robert (Melissa) Tysdal III., Justin Tysdal, Candice (fiance’ Chad) Tysdal, Ryan (Patsy) Vos, Raven (Matt) Cross, Roman Tysdal, Skye Tays, Jesse Wells and Travis Brownell; great-grandchildren Robert Tysdal IV, twins Makala and Madison Tysdal, Lilly Vos, Rylan Vos, Ryker Vos, Jaxon Cross, Sophia Cross; sisters Melvene Nickles of Clarion, Bonnie (Doug) Donnelly of Clive, Jeanne (Ed) Wiggins of Blue Earth, Minnesota; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, niece Marlene Mosher, and brothers-in-law Blaine Nickles and Skip Elson.