Robert Sass

Hastings resident, Robert P. 'Bob' Sass, 73, of 1334 N. St. Joseph Ave., died Wednesday, November 1, 2000 at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.

Vigil Service & Rosary will be Sunday, November 5, 2000; 8:00 P.M. at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, November 6, 2000; 10:00 A.M. at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church with Father Larry Gyhra officiating. Burial with Military Rites will be in Parkview Cemetery, all in Hastings, Nebraska.

Robert P. 'Bob' Sass was born April 30, 1927 in Grand Island, Nebraska to Paul & Leona (Bader) Sass. He attended country school until 8th grade. He graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1944. Shortly after he attended Tommy Bright School of Design in Chicago, Illinois and worked for Strykers Floral in Grand Island, Nebraska for 2 years. He served in the United States Navy from 1945-1946 in the Pacific, Hawaii, Okinawa & Shanghai, China. He married Marguerite J. 'Marge' Stobbe on June 28, 1948 in St. Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island, Nebraska and celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary this year. They lived in Grand Island, Nebraska until moving to Hastings, Nebraska in 1955. He bought Davidson's Floral Shop at 533 W. 2nd Street where he operated it for several years, then moved into a former grocery store at 7th & Colorado. A new floral shop was built at 2618 W. 2nd Street in 1975. His 9 children worked in the shop while living at home. Bob was a member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church where he served on the Parish Council, Committees & Educational Programs. He was an acolyte and usher. Bob was Chairman for a 1.5 million dollar fund raiser for the Hastings Catholic Schools in 1986. He was an active member as Chamber of Commerce Ambassador from 1978 to 1988. Bob was Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee in 1983. He served 4 times as a 3 year Director on the Nebraska Florist Society and was President of Nebraska Florist Society in 1978 and 1989 and General Chairman of a 3 state Florist Organization. He was elected to the Nebraska Florist Society Hall of Fame in 1994. He was a member of Lochland Country Club, Just For Fun Old Car Club, Elks Country Club, American Legion Post #11, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus & its Chalice Club, V.F.W. Post #1346 and was Past Commander of District #13. He also was a member of the Nebraska Senior Golf Association. Bob was a supporting member of the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Robert P. 'Bob' Sass was preceded in death by his parents and a younger brother, William 'Bill' Sass.

Survivors include, Wife, Marge Sass - Hastings, NE; Daughters, Cindy Howat - St. Joseph, MO, Judy Sturdevant - Cortez, CO, Kathy Walker - Oak Ridge, TN, Amy Hamburger - Hastings, NE; Sons, Chris Sass - St. Joseph, MO, Craig Sass - Hastings, NE, Mark Sass - Lincoln, NE, Kevin Sass - Hastings, NE, Brad Sass - Firth, NE; Grandchildren, 25, Great Granddaughters, 3; Sister, Carroll Rauert - Grand Island, NE

Memorial maybe given to Hastings Catholic Schools Trust or Hastings Catholic Social Services

VISITATION:
Fri. 5pm-9pm
Sat. 9am-9pm
Sun. 1pm-6pm at the funeral home
Sun. 7:15pm until rosary at the church
Mon. 1 hr. prior to service at the church