Robert "Bob" Lier
Robert “Bob” John Lier, 85, passed away Friday, August 15, 2025, at his home in Shelbyville, KY surrounded by the unconditional love of his beloved wife of 60 years, Jacquie Lier, and only child, Christy Lier. A “Celebration of Life” service and reception will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 6 at First Christian Church (1000 Eminence Pike, Shelbyville, KY).
Casual attire is welcome. Bob was a huge fan of #3 Dale Earnhardt Sr., John Force Racing, University of Iowa Hawkeyes, Green Bay Packers, Boston Celtics, and the Chicago Cubs. If you own any of this fan gear, or attire in the colors of his favorite teams, we’d love for you to wear it and help us honor Bob’s sporting spirit.
The family will be presiding over the Celebration Service and will open the microphone to invite guests to share stories/memories/thoughts about Bob with us! He had a big personality, a great sense of humor, and was a gifted storyteller!
Private family burial service will be held at Grove Hill Cemetery, Shelbyville, KY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s memory to your local Humane Society or an animal rescue organization near you.
Bob was born March 12, 1940, in Waterville, the son of Joseph Conrad and Cora Adeline (Kolsrud) Lier. He was the grandson of Sever and Selma (Frok) Kolsrud and John and Clara (Haroldson) Lier. All of Bob’s great-grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from Norway and settled farms in Allamakee County.
He was raised on a 212-acre farm near Waterville where he farmed alongside his dad and grandpa. He was baptized and confirmed at Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waukon and graduated from Waterville High School in 1958. He was a stand-out athlete in basketball and baseball. He dominated the mound as a pitcher, catching the attention of college coaches.
Bob married the “love of his life,” Jacquie Simmons of Lansing, July 10, 1965, at Immaculate Conception Wexford Catholic Church. They settled in Davenport, where they lived from 1965-1995. From 1963-1971, Bob served in the Army National Guard where he achieved the highest award in marksmanship, “EXPERT”, missing just two targets out of several hundred.
In 1964, Bob hired on at John Deere Plow Planter Works (East Moline, IL) where he worked as a Master Machinist in the Tool & Dye Room of the Corn Planter Division. He retired in February 1995 at 54 years old, after 31 years with Deere. It was then that Bob and Jacquie moved to Shelbyville, KY to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren.
Bob was a loving and devoted husband, father, and “Ginka” (grandpa). He loved passing down his Norwegian family traditions to his grandchildren, especially teaching them to make “Lefse” and “Rosettes” at Christmas time, and the beauty of using the Norwegian phrase “Uff Da!” in everyday life. Bob had a deep faith in God, and it was reflected in the way he loved, protected, and was always present for his family.
Above all, Bob was an incredibly generous and kind man; always willing to lend a helping hand to his family, friends, neighbors, and strangers alike. The Good Lord Himself probably lost count of Bob’s numerous quiet acts of kindness. Bob cherished meeting up for morning coffee with his friends in Shelbyville. He made lifelong friendships here that meant the world to him. His buddies endearingly called him “The Dog Man,” because everywhere Bob went in his black Chevy truck, his beloved dogs rode shotgun.
Connecting with people was his superpower and greatest joy... because he realized we all have something to learn from one another. Bob left an indelible mark on so many lives. We will miss him deeply. He was the hero of our story, the strongest man we’ve ever known, and our lives will not be the same without him.
Bob is survived by his wife, Jacquie (Simmons) Lier; his daughter, Christine Ann Lier; his granddaughter, Paige (Eric) Zipperle; his grandson, Michael McMillan; his son in-law, Kenny McMillan; his sister, Joann (Gene) Dee of Cedar Rapids; his brother, Randy Lier of Waterville; his brother in-law, Wayne Johnson of Waukon, his nieces/nephews: Bob (Amber) Lier, Ross (Megan) Lier, Jamie (Alyssa) Lier, Duane (Jim) Dee-Bentley, Brad (Tiffany) Dee, Chad (Lisa) Dee, Melissa Johnson, Mikki Stegen, Melanie (Lynn) Stock, Richard (Jackie) Johnson, and Robert (Samantha) Johnson.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Conrad and Cora Adeline (Kolsrud) Lier; Jacquie’s father who was killed in WWII, “Jack” John Henry Simmons; his mother in-law, Alice (Stalter-Simmons) McGovern; his father in-law, Lawrence McGovern; his infant sister, Janet Delores Lier; his sister, LaVonne Jean “Bonnie” (Lier) Johnson; his sister in-law, Joann Violet (Donahue) Lier; and his niece, Tammy (Dee) Vaverka. Bob’s lifetime of beloved dogs included Tippy, Tippy II, Kennedy, Jet, Gabe, Dutchess, Podgie, Gypsy Rose, Gunnar, and Zeke.
