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Robert
W. Fahnestock
Robert W. Fahnestock, 80, of Grand Island, died peacefully
at home with his family by his side on Thursday, November 12, 2009.
Service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held Monday,
November 16 at 2:00 PM at Calvary Lutheran Church at 13th and Custer. Reverend
Sheri Lodel will officiate.
There will be no visitation. All Faiths Funeral
Home is serving the family.
Mr. Fahnestock was born on February 6, 1929 in Milford, Nebraska. When he was three months old he was
adopted by two very special and loving parents of Scribner, Nebraska where he grew up. His adoptive parents
were William and Clara Fahnestock.
On February 10th 1950 he married Amy Schroeder
also of Scribner. They were blessed with 59 wonderful years of marriage.
They were blessed with a son, Robert Jr. and a daughter, Jill.
Bob graduated from Scribner High School in
1946 and then attended Wayne State College where he received his
bachelor’s degree in 1950. He went to work for the Social Security
Administration (SSA) when farmers became eligible for Social Security
benefits. He worked for SSA for 30 years winning many awards for
his fine work and dedication to his community and those he served.
His career took him and his family from Omaha to Lincoln to Norfolk
back to Omaha, Kansas City and then to Grand Island where he was
the Assistant District Manager until his retirement, March 1 of 1985
When the family was permanently settled in GI, Bob and
Amy began a dream of becoming foster parents. Robert Jr. was in Vietnam and
Jill was 17 when they took Lucy. Thro the years they added Virginia,
Mark, Jolene, Margie, Vickie, Jenna, Justine, Larae, John, George,
Roberta and Monica. They have 15 foster grandchildren.
Bob had many interests in his life and retirement years.
The greatest was his love of area High School sports.
He also was the announcer for Legion Baseball games for 3 years.
He served on the Crisis Center Board some years ago and was active
in serving his church on the board, singing tenor in the choir and
teaching Sunday school. When he was honored as an Extra Ordinary
Person in the GI Independent he shared how important his love of
Christ was to him. Before his heart problems he and Amy loved dancing,
he was a wonderful waltzer but he really got into the polka and stomping
his feet. Bob and Amy played an active part in the Spiral Marriage
Encounter Group. They were very active on a state level with
foster parenting.
On April of 2004 Bob and Amy were honored by their hometown
of Scribner as their native son and daughter of the year for their
work with children.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived
by his loving wife Amy and son Rob and wife Virginia of Grand Island,
daughter Jill and Grandson Benjamin of Grand Island and 13 foster
children, his sister Lou Ann Henkens and husband Ken along with 7
nieces and nephews.
May God comfort us as we mourn the loss of Bob. Help
us to rejoice with him in his arrival home to God’s kingdom.
The family requests no flowers. Memorials can be given
to either Calvary Lutheran Church or Lutheran Family Services.
