Robert Batteen

Robert "Bob" Carl Batteen, age 73, of Lansing passed away March 9, 2017 at the Franciscan Mayo Hospital in La Crosse, WI during his valiant struggle with cancer. Sunday, April 2, all family and friends are invited to share in a "Celebration of Bob's Life" at T.J. Hunters in Lansing from 3-8 p.m.

Bob was born in Waukon September 6, 1943, the son of Harris and Laurayne (Johnson) Batteen of Lansing. He attended school in Lansing at Immaculate Conception Catholic grade school and St. George High School, graduating in 1961. From 1961 to 1964, he served in the United States Army. He attended basic training at Fort Riley, KS and served a six-month tour of duty in Germany.

In 1974, he married Karen Walleser, daughter of Lawrence "Duke" and Esther (Hammell) Walleser of Lansing. Bob worked for Continental Can Co. in La Crosse, WI and Omaha, NE, also farming and working various other jobs before becoming a member of the Operating Engineers, Local 234 in 1975, retiring in 2007 as a finish dozer operator for Dave Schmitt Construction Co. of Cedar Rapids. Dave Schmitt claimed Bob was the "best finish dozer operator in the state of Iowa."

Bob is survived by his wife, Karen; his daughter, Marna (Brian) Hulshof, and grandchildren Wyatt, Grace, Noah and Ella of Le Mars; his son, Bob (fiancé Michelle) Batteen, and grandson, Ashton, and honorary granddaughters, Monica and Seven, of Vinton; two sisters, Joan (Batteen) Walz of Poulsbo, WA and Carol Batteen of Seattle, WA; his mother-in-law, Esther Walleser of Waukon; his aunt, Marietta Johnson of Phoenix, AZ; 14 sisters-in-law; 11 brothers-in-law; and many aunts- and uncles-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Harris and Laurayne; his father-in-law, Lawrence; his brother, William "Bill"; his sisters-in-law, Theresa and Dora; his brothers-in-law, Larry, Joe, Francis and Martin; a niece, Angela; and his nephews, William "Bill", Michael and William.

The family is being assisted by Sletten-McKee-Hanson Funeral Home and Midwest Cremation Associates Ltd. of La Crosse, WI.