Robert Francis Gregory

Robert Francis Gregory, age 91, of Ralston, IA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 10 A.M. on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at the United Methodist Church in Glidden, IA, with Rev. Benjamin Carter-Allen officiating.  Music for the service will be by Mary Ross as organist and Chad Stevens as soloist.  Casket bearers will be Bob’s grandchildren.  Burial will be in the Dillavou Cemetery north of Ralston with military honors by the Glidden American Legion and the Iowa National Guard.

Visitation will be held at the United Methodist Church in Glidden from 5 – 7 P.M. on Friday evening.  Additional visitation will be held at the church from 9 – 9:45 A.M. on Saturday prior to the service.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Glidden and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Bob, as he was known to most, was born on May 24, 1931 in Carroll, IA.  He was the son of George Francis and Evelyn Marie (McCullough) Gregory.  He was the oldest of five children.  Bob attended grade school in Ralston and graduated from Glidden High School in 1949.  He was united in marriage to Mary Ann Johnson on September 19, 1952 in a country Methodist church near Menlo, IA.  Bob was drafted into the United States Army ten days after their marriage and served during the Korean Conflict station in Korea as an engineer.  During his basic training in California, Bob drove many Colonels and even had the privilege of driving Marilyn Monroe while she entertained troops.  Upon his honorable discharge, Bob returned to Iowa and the couple lived in Perry where he worked for John Deere and later KWBG Radio selling advertising.  Bob and Mary Ann moved to Ralston where they began farming in 1956 and moved to the family farm in 1960 where they raised their five children.  He served on the Carroll County Extension Board, FFA board, and Pork and Beef Producer boards.  He was a member of the Ralston Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years and the Merle Hay Post of the American Legion.  He was very active with the Ralston United Methodist Church and served on many boards.  Bob continued to mow the church lawn even after its closing.  Bob was a proud blood donor and donated over 20 gallons.  Bob and Mary Ann loved to go ballroom dancing and they enjoyed ten fun filled years of entertaining friends and family at their place on lake Okoboji.  They traveled extensively in the US and took two trips to South Korea.  They also enjoyed the winters they spent in Weslaco, TX and going to Mexico.  He was a proud and dearly loved grandfather attending as many of his grandkids events as possible.  Bob was a kind and happy go lucky guy who never met a stranger and would give his shirt off his back for anyone in need.

Bob is survived by his wife Mary Ann of 70 years; his children and their families: daughter Pam Quigley (Steve) of Iowa City, son Robert “Butch” Gregory (Barb) of Ralston, daughter Vicki Stork of West Des Moines, daughter Nicki Hoyle (Bob ) of Glidden, and son Larry Gregory (Maria) of North Fort Myers, FL; sixteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; a sister Ruth Johnston of Glidden; two brothers: George “Bud” Gregory of Medford, OR, and Raymond Gregory of Scranton, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents George and Evelyn Gregory; his father and mother-in-law Nels and Myrtle Johnson; a brother William “Bill” Gregory, two grandsons Zachary Stork and Quinn Gregory; and a granddaughter Joanne Gregory.