- Coonen, Robert "BoBob" Coonen, of Kaukauna, loving husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, and brother, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family February 28, 2006, after a valiant five year battle with cancer. He was born August 17, 1935, to Cecelia (Martineau) and Henry Coonen in Kaukauna, WI. He was united in marriage to Bonnie (Boettcher Affeldt) June 20, 1987. He had previously been married to Marilyn (Hartjes) and they had five children together. Kevin (Nancy) Coonen, Appleton; Kathy (Mark) Dahlin who preceded him in death; Karen (Tom) Lenz, Kaukauna; Ken (Lorie) Coonen, Kaukauna; and Kory Coonen, Kaukauna. Bob was a loving stepfather to Jeff (Lorie Walker) Affeldt, Madison; James (Mary Ann) Affeldt, Neenah; and Joelle Affeldt (Tom) Gehring, Farwell, MI. Bob is also survived by his grandchildren: Casey and Autumn Coonen, Mackenzie Dahlin, Kelsey Coonen, Devan and Troy Lenz, Katie, Jesse, and Jamie Coonen, Ashley and Shawn Angle Coonen and Forrest Gehring; his brothers: Arnold (Jeanette) Coonen, Don Coonen; and sisters: Carol (Darrel) Jansen, and Lola (Lyle) Nienhaus.He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathy (Dahlin) and his parents. Bob graduated from Kaukauna High school in 1954 and entered the U.S. Navy where he served active duty on a destroyer as an Ensign-Machinist Mate in 1962 and served as a training reserve primarily in the Caribbean. In 1980 he rose to Commander continuing to serve on destroyers and aircraft carriers until his retirement in 1984.
Bob was a member of the American Legion Post 496, Sherwood, WI. Bob was employed by Hartjes Electric, Superior Electric, St. Elizabeth Hospital and most recently by Hoffman Corporation. He was superintendent in project management and was responsible for the project management of Kaukauna High School, Waupaca High School, Winnebago County Human Services, and several other large building projects. Bob was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Kaukauna, volunteered as a youth instructor, and used his talent as an electrician to beautify the facility. He also served as an electrician on two mission trips to Mexico. He had a great love for music and enjoyed singing in the Celebrator Choir. Bob's passion was sailing and he spent over 35 summers cruising Lake Winnebago and the Bay of Green Bay with family and friends. Bob's Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2006, at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer Street, Kaukauna with Fr. J ack Mullarkey officiating. Friends will be received on THURSDAY, March 2 at CHURCH 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Full Military Burial Rites will take place at Church following Bob's service. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund for Holy Cross's Music Program has been established. The Boettcher Family Funeral Home, Kaukauna is assisting the family. 920-766-2099. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Martha Seikman Cancer Center, especially Dr. John Swanson as well as the staff and Dr. Scott Kolbeck of Urology Associates of Wisconsin and the Theda Care at Home Hospice staff; especially Kathy, Ann and Charlie.
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1935 - 2006 (70 years)
Education - High School
