Robert Shulka

Robert "Opa" R. Shulka, 79, of rural Lansing, IA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. No services or burial will be held. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, IA, is assisting the family. Memorials can be made to the VFW in Waukon.

Robert "Opa" Raymond Shulka was born June 29, 1940, to Raymond and Florence (McCarthy) Shulka in Prairie du Chien, WI. In high school, Robert joined the ROTC and then formally enlisted in the Army in 1959, retiring after 20 years of service. Robert was stationed in Germany and Okinawa, Japan for a time and also served in Vietnam. On February 9, 1962, he married Sieglinde Buhles in Germany and they had three children. After retiring in 1979, they moved to the Waukon and Lansing, IA, areas and Opa spent his remaining years helping to raise his grandchildren, who were his number one priority.

Opa loved educating himself and was always reading something, especially Mother Earth News and science fiction; he taught himself how to speak German and some Russian as well. Opa also enjoyed gardening and tinkering with his Dodges. His family loved him dearly and they will miss him.

He is survived by his wife Sieglinde "Oma";  his children: Linda (Thomas) Boose of Waterville, IA, Florence (Carl) Leirmo of Ferryville, WI, and Robert (Sabine) Shulka of Winchester, VA; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; his brothers and sisters; and nieces and nephews.