Robert 'Bob' Michael Kounkel, 72, of rural Le Mars, Iowa, affectionately known by close friends & family as "Tilly," passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 2, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hinton, IA. Reverend Alex Kaldahl will officiate. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Hinton. Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. There will be a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home. Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. on Friday at the church. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Bob was born on November 17, 1951 in Le Mars, IA, to his loving parents Ralph & Mildred Kounkel. He was baptized, confirmed and married at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hinton, IA, where he has served as council secretary and in earlier years the unofficial boiler repairman with his dad.

He attended Hinton Community Schools and graduated in 1970. From there he enlisted in the 185th Tactical Unit of the Iowa Air National Guard. He worked at Sioux Tools (Sioux City, IA) and Agri-Tech (Le Mars, IA), while he continued to farm with his dad. He eventually retired from his town jobs and farmed full time.

He was united in marriage to Shelia Bjornsen Thompsen on August 29, 1981, at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Hinton, Iowa. They made their home on a farm southeast of Le Mars.

In earlier years Bob enjoyed hunting with friends and relatives and playing church slow pitch softball. Bob's hobbies were playing cards, especially "Euchre" and taking care of his Black Angus Cattle from birth to market. He spent a lifetime of caretaking and "babying" his cows.

He was a man of integrity, loyalty and generosity who lived every minute to love & serve his family.

Survivors include his wife, Sheila of rural Le Mars, IA; a son, Jayson (Cathy) Thompsen of Denver, CO, and their children, Jacob and Evan; a daughter, Amy Reoh of Gretna, NE, and her children, Carleigh and Caleb; and a son, Brad (Brittney) Kounkel of Littleton, CO, and their children, Addison and Austin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Mildred Kounkel and his infant brother, Mark Kounkel.