Robert David Matthies

Robert "Bob" Matthies, age 75, of Anita, IA, died on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Bob was born on March 19, 1951 to Fred and Gertude Matthies. He grew up in Walnut, Iowa and graduated with the class of 1969. Following high school, Bob attended Iowa Western Community College in Clarinda before returning home to work at the sale barn in Avoca and later working as a hog buyer for Western Iowa Pork and Farmland/Anita Co-op.

Bob united in marriage to Verna Young on August 21, 1971. They lived in Walnut for several years before moving to Anita in 1982 where they raised their 4 children; Corey, Julie, Jill and John.

Bob loved a well manicured yard; spending hours ensuring it was free of weeds and that his mow lines were perfectly straight. He was as particular about his vehicles as he was his lawn. Bob was an avid Iowa State Cyclones fan who made the trek to Ames for many years. After his health started to decline, he continued to cheer on the Cyclones from his recliner. You would see a Cyclone flag flying in his yard every game day. Bob was also a proud EMT and firefighter where he spent 30 plus years as a volunteer fireman with the Anita Fire Department.

Bob enjoyed playing golf in the summer. He always looked forward to the annual 4-person golf tournament at Crestwood Hills in Anita with his longtime friends Terry, Phil and Max.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Gert Matthies; his Father-and Mother-in-law, Bob and Dorothy Young; Brother, Stan Matthies; and sisters-in-law, Margo Matthies and Jean Young.

He is survived by his wife Verna of 54 years; Children Corey (Mindi) Matthies, of Ames, Julie (Ryan) Wheatley of Adair, Jill (Ben) Cary of Anita and John (Erica) Matthies of Panora; Grandchildren McKenna, Tyler, Chloe, Joselyn, Kale, Avery (Logan), Nolan, Carson, Madden, Knox and Lenox; great grandchildren Lincoln, Adriana and Layn; Brother Doug Matthies and Sister Darla Snyder, brother- in-laws Sherman Snyder and Kenny Young.

Memorial service will be held 10 am, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa, with Pastor Russell Hansen officiating. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita. Visitation with the family present will be held on Tuesday, June 2 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the funeral home in Atlantic. A reception will be held following the graveside service on Wednesday at the Anita Community building in Anita.

Memorials can be made to either the Anita Fire Department or Congregational Church in Anita and can be left or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.