Robert Louis Schellhase

Preceded in death by loving wife of 59 years Marilyn, parents, 8 brothers, 4 sisters. Survived by loving family, friends, and neighbors. Bob was a 50 year member of Centennial Lodge #326. He retired from Fehrs Tractor. A controlled visitation will be held Sun, Mar 29, from 4-7pm at Westlawn Hillcrest Funeral Home. Private graveside service. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church or to Omaha Home for Boys.

Robert Louis Schellhase was born to Frank Schellhase and Idona Steward Schellhase in Oelwin, Iowa on October 24,1929. he was the youngest of 13 children in his family. Bob had 8 brothers (Floyd, Oran, Frank Jr. Harold, Cecil, Dean, Clifford, and Dale) and 4 sisters (Leona, Frances, Hazel, and Bertie Lou). Bob's oldest brother Floyd was 26 years older than Bob. Bob never did get to meet several of his siblings. Due to family difficulties, he was taken in by his uncle and aunt, Andrew and Fannie Schellhase, at age 2. Moved to Omaha, he was raised as a brother to his cousins Mayme and Jack, living at 66th & Woolworth Ave.

Bob attended Pickard Elementary School and Benson High School through grade 10. When young, he worked at Crestwood grocery store. He started working at Ak-Sar-Ben coliseum and loved watching the Omaha Knights hockey team whose home ice was Ak-Sar-Ben. The players tried to get Bob to learn to skate, but his ankles were too weak!

Bob joined the Navy in 1948 at age 18 and served 5 years. Bob enlisted for 3 years but was needed for 2 additional years, due to the Korean War. He was stationed in Alaska and in Oregon for the majority of his enlistment. He finally got to go to Hawaii at the end of his tour. He remembers the guys putting on plays and since there were no women, the guys would dress as girls for the female parts. He always got a kick out of this.

Bob was discharged in 1953 and lived with brother Jack and family in Linwood, CA for about a year. This was very helpful to Jack's wife Marie, since Jack died suddenly at that time and Bob helped Jack's wife and two young children in many ways. He then returned to Omaha. Bob started a long career working as a mechanic at Fehrs Tractor. A co-worker gave Bob his nick-name if Ikey (Ike-ee).

Bob met Marilyn and fell in love. They dated and were married at Hanscom Park Methodist Church on December 29, 1956. Their wedding reception was held at the German American Club on south 13th Street. Their first home was on 55th & Poppleton Ave. They moved to their home on 59th & Hascall in 1963. It was a new neighborhood at the time- outside of Omaha city limits_ surrounded by dirt roads. They always enjoyed their neighbors and developed deep friendships.

Bob celebrated 50 years of Masonic affiliation in 2015. He participated in carious Masonic organizations: Centennial Lodge #326, Scottish Rite, Legion of Honor of Tangier Shrine Center, and Eastern Star. he served on the board of the West Omaha Masonic Center. He served as Worshipful Master of Centennial Lodge in 1974. He participated in Eastern Star Goldenrod Chapter #326 and Fontenelle Chapter #249. serving as Worthy Patron three times. He enjoyed fundraising activities for the Omaha Home for Boys and the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Bob & Marilyn traveled to Masonic conventions throughout the country and met many new friends and made many memories.

Bob and Marilyn were always active at church. They started at Hanscom Park Methodist and moved to First Methodist Church. Bob served as usher for over 40 years and they worked with various youth groups. They alter moved to St. Matthew Lutheran Church and participated in Autumn Club.

Bob always loved watching the wildlife in his backyard and had a screened-in deck built so he could enjoy the activity at all of his bird and squirrel feeders. He enjoyed gardening, growing flowers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and pumpkins. He was a sports fan and enjoyed watching games on TV especially football, baseball, and hockey games. He always loved animals and had several dogs through the years. His most recent pets were two older cats named Harley and Mr. Jay. Originally uncertain if he would like cats, he soon grew to love these two.

Bob & Marilyn enjoyed 59 years of marriage until her death in 2016. At that time, he remained in his home, but suffered from problems with his heart and lungs, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease. Bob was diagnosed with advanced cancer in February 2020. He was then moved to Hospice House.

Bob always tried to have a good attitude and took things in stride. Even strangers at restaurants noticed his kind and polite nature. He always treated others in the way he wished to be treated. He was dependable and responsible in all things. A good example for the rest of us. We will miss him dearly.