Robert J. Linder

Celebration of Life Service for Robert J. "Bob" Linder will be held on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastors Paul Bauman, Murray Jones and Tom Thompson officiating.  Interment will be held in the Moses Hill Cemetery in rural Phelps County, Nebraska following the services.

Robert John "Bob" Linder, 86 years of age, of Loomis, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at the CHI Health – Good Samaritan in Kearney, Nebraska.  Robert was born February 25, 1933 at Holdrege, the younger of two sons to Mervin J. and Blanche (Anderson) Linder.  He grew up on the family farm on the southeast edge of Loomis.  He was baptized and confirmed at the Loomis United Methodist Church.  Bob received his education from Loomis Public School, graduating from Loomis High School with the class of 1950.

Following his education, Bob engaged in farming and fed cattle with his father.  On December 28, 1951, Bob was united in marriage to Jean Lanquist, and to this union three sons were born:  Gregory, Jon, and James.  The family made their home in Loomis, until moving to his parents' farm.  In 1965, Bob and Jean bought the family farm, and expanded the farming operation through the years with Jean's parents' farms as well.  In 1964, Bob was chosen by the Nebraska Jaycees as outstanding young farmer-rancher in Nebraska.  On April 10, 1971, they lost their son, Jon in a farm accident at the age of 15 ½ years.  The family continued to farm and feed cattle at Linder Stock Farm, where Bob was proud of the fact that four generations of the family worked side-by-side through the years in the family corporation.

Bob retired from feeding cattle and farming in 1986, and began working at the Nelson Funeral Home in Holdrege from 1986 – 1992.

They were active members of the Loomis United Methodist Church, where Bob served as a Lay Leader, and spoke on several occasions in different churches.  He also served the McCook District as director of Stewardship and Finance in the Methodist Church.  Bob and Jean were Stewardship Representatives for Back to the Bible Ministry, and later Bob served on the BTTB Board of Directors.  Bob was a member of the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, and also the Gideon's International Ministry.

In 1979, Bob was elected to the Board of Directors of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, where he served for several years.  Bob was also a member of the Phelps County Feeders, and received the Outstanding Pioneer Cattle Feeders Award in 2007.  He served as President of the Phelps County Community Foundation Board, was a hospice volunteer, volunteer at the Christian Homes Care Community, and the Phelps County Senior Center.

Bob had a large library and liked to study the Bible, and read Theology.  For several years he enjoyed teaching Bible studies.  In January of 1991, they rededicated their lives to Christ, and enjoyed teaching under Dr. Roger Fredrickson at the Holdrege Baptist Church.

After retirement, Bob had a beautiful vegetable and flower garden, and enjoyed sharing with many people.  Bob and Jean spent 13 winters at their winter home in the St. Petersburg, Florida, and later 6 winters in the Rio Grande Valley in Donna, Texas in a retirement park.  They enjoyed traveling, and visited many foreign countries, and went on cruises together.  In later years, they made many friendships on tours within the United States.

He always appreciated his family.  His greatest joy was his grandchildren, and great-grandsons in the last few years.  In 2011, Bob and Jean celebrated their 60 ^th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends.  The past year and half, Bob was lovingly cared for at The Country House in Kearney.  Peace to his memory.

Besides his parents, and son, Jon; Bob was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Donna Linder; his brother, Richard Linder; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law:  Carl and Cecelia Lanquist.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife of almost 68 years, Jean Linder; two sons:  Greg Linder and his wife, Sharon of Loomis; and Jim Linder of Loomis, and his special friend, Stacy Osborn of Kearney; seven grandchildren:  Charlie Linder and his wife, Abby; Kendra Virgil and her husband, Tim; Erica Regan and her husband, Patrick; Jake Linder and his fiancé, Lexi Rudner; Mark Linder; Jessica Jones; and Jeremy Miller; four great-grandsons:  Owen, Quentin and Morgan Virgil; and Kyler Jones; sisters-in-law:  Pat Linder of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Joan Towers and her husband, Tom of New Canaan, Connecticut; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 3, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Bob's honor, and kindly suggested to the Alzheimer's Association for Research; the Country House in Kearney; or the Gideon's International.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.