Obituary: Robert James Elswick
Robert James Elswick
1945-2025
Robert James Elswick, age 80, son of Paul and Arleta Grace (Sumption) Elswick, was born March 25, 1945, in Osceola, Iowa. He passed from this life on July 14, 2025, at the Clearview Home in Mt. Ayr, Iowa.
Bob, as he was known, grew up on the Elswick family farm west of Lamoni. He attended school in Lamoni. When in elementary school there was a contest to name a new lake, Bob’s entry won with the name of Lake LaShane, combining the town of Lamoni and Shane Creek that flowed into it. While in high school Bob was on the track team and the basketball team. He graduated from Lamoni High School in 1963, then on to Graceland College, graduating in 1968, with a bachelor’s degree in business. Soon after graduation he was drafted into the United States Army. He served two years then returned to southern Iowa to marry Kathryn Ida Tennant in 1970. They made their first home at Cedar Falls, Iowa so Bob could attend the University of Northern Iowa to earn his master’s degree in business education. After graduation he worked at the John Deere tractor plant in Waterloo, Iowa for a few years. Then they moved back to the Elswick century farm and built a home. They were blessed with three children, Lee, Brent, and Elizabeth.
Bob farmed with his dad then alone after his dad passed away until his retirement. In his free time, Bob loved to watch football and basketball on television. He was an Iowa Hawkeye fan.
Preceding him in death were his parents. Survivors include his wife, Kathy Elswick of Lamoni; children, Lee Elswick of Lamoni, Brent Elswick of Seattle, Washington, and Beth Elswick of Mount Ayr, Iowa; grandson, Clayton Elswick of Seattle; sister-in-law, Susan Lehneis and husband, Kirk of Beaver Creek, Ohio; two nieces; several cousins; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the Bloomington Community of Christ Church outside of Lamoni, Iowa at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2025. Burial followed in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Iowa. Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.
