Robert Rames

Robert Ross Rames peacefully passed away on August 12, 2026, in Naperville, Illinois, at the age of 87. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, “Uncle Bob”, and friend. A wake will be held at Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel in Menno, South Dakota, on Friday, August 21, 2026, 4:00 – 7:00pm. On Saturday, August 22, 2026, a memorial service will be held at 10:00am at Grace Lutheran Church in Menno, followed by a graveside committal service at the Menno Cemetery. A luncheon will follow where all are welcome to continue sharing stories and memories of Robert. Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel in Menno is assisting the family with arrangements.

Robert (Bob) was born on October 12, 1938, at home in Olivet, South Dakota, to Arthur and Olga (Ekren) Rames. He grew up as the middle child in a home with loving parents and two brothers, Gene and Alan. Bob attended school in Olivet and continued to Menno High School where he wooed his high school sweetheart, Karen Redman. He then went on to Southern State Teacher’s College before enlisting to serve his country. He served in the US Army from 1957 to 1959 with a rank of Private First Class and was stationed in Berlin, Germany. Upon returning home, Bob and Karen were married on March 5, 1960. They started their married life in Washington, D.C., where Bob worked for the FBI. Bob’s career brought them to Illinois where they welcomed their first daughter, Kristine, and to Ohio where their second daughter, Katherine, joined the family. Working for Sears, Roebuck & Co., Bob relocated to Illinois to continue in security with Sears, Jewel Food Stores, and Moraine Valley Community College.

Bob’s love for the outdoors directed his life. He loved sharing stories from his early childhood antics around Olivet, Menno, and especially the Jim River. Bob often took the family camping in Ohio. Later Bob, along with Karen, had lake houses in Indiana and then in Illinois where time was spent entertaining family and friends, fishing, driving his boat, and blowing leaves to keep his yard pristine. Anyone who knew Bob was privy to his love of pheasant hunting and his extensive pheasant memorabilia collection. He also treasured his many walleye fishing trips to Lake Erie with family and friends.

Bob was involved in sports playing football and basketball in high school, as well as throwing the shot put. He then continued playing football in college and the Army. Bob was an avid sports fan always rooting for the Chicago Bears, the Chicago Bulls, and the Chicago White Sox. He could occasionally be caught rooting for the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Indians when the teams were not versing Chicago.

Bob was an active member of the Lutheran Church serving the lord as a youth sponsor, Church Council member, communion server, usher, and signage coordinator for many years.

Bob is survived by his daughters Kristine (Glenn) Jones of Keller, Texas and Katherine (Corey) Herrboldt of Plainfield, Illinois; grandchildren Bradley (Taylor) Jones, Erica (Frank) South, Brooke (Josh) Becker, and Bailey Herrboldt; brother Alan (Marie) Rames; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Renee and Mark Huenemann, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Karen (Redman) Rames, his parents Art and Olga Rames, parents-in-law Herman and Anna Redman, his brother Gene Rames, his sister-in-law Jeanne Bradley, nephew Grant Rames, and many other cherished, extended family members.

To send an online message to the family, please visit www.okfhc.com.