Robert Joseph Guntren

Robert J. Guntren, age 82, of Storm Lake, Iowa passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Memorial Mass will take place Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the CHURCH. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Robert was born in Storm Lake, Iowa, in 1943 to Walter Guntren and Mamie (Kacmarynski) Guntren. He was a lifelong resident of the community. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1961 and later attended Universal Trade School in Omaha. In his early twenties, Robert purchased Guntren Honey Apiaries from his father, Walter L Guntren. He grew the business into a successful enterprise, and as a commercial beekeeper, he maintained hives in southern Iowa, Texas, and California. On July 19, 1975, he was united in marriage to Susan E Kohtz at Trinity Lutheran Church in Eden, Idaho. Together, they raised five children and built a life centered around family and hard work. One of Robert’s passions was duck hunting, which led to his involvement with Ducks Unlimited and its conservation efforts to restore and manage wetlands and habitats for North America’s waterfowl. He served as Chairman of the Storm Lake chapter in the 1980s. In his free time, Robert enjoyed working with his hands and keeping busy. He spent many hours rebuilding classic cars, especially the 1955 Chevy Bel Air he had driven in high school and took pride in bringing them back to life. He had a particular interest in planes and automobiles and was an avid collector, along with many other items over the years, including model trains, stamps, duck calls, decoys, antiques, and model cars. He had a way of being both meticulous and resourceful valuing detail while making the most of what he had. He loved cooking for family and friends, especially preparing the Thanksgiving turkey, a tradition he took great pride in. He also spent time gardening and had a natural artistic ability. He had an interest in aviation and held a private pilot’s license. Above all, he took the greatest pleasure in sharing his time and interests with those he loved. Those left to cherish his memory are his children: Hans Guntren of Menlo Park, California; Natalie (Joseph) Dorondo of Houston, Texas; Valerie (Kirk) Tetzlaff of Storm Lake, Iowa; Heather (Michael) Ellis of Parker, Colorado; and Bethany (Cody) Martin of Portland, Oregon. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Alexis, Tyler, Parker, Nathaniel, Brooklyn, Madison, Benjamin, Paxton, and Emery; one great-grandchild, Vincent; and his siblings: Mary Nicholls; Richard (Dodie) Guntren; Raymond (Karen) Guntren; and Jean (Earl) Harper. He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Guntren; his parents, Walter Guntren and Mamie Guntren; his sister, Betty Moll; and his niece, Emily Harper.

Robert Joseph Guntren

July 22, 1943 - March 18, 2026