Robert E. Coffey

Robert Coffey passed away peacefully on Friday, May 7, 2021, at Grace Commons in Menomonee Falls, WI at the age of 89.  Robert was born April 7 1932 in Omaha, NE, the second of six children born to Max and Dora (Heath) Coffey.  Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his father- and mother-in-law John and Ruth Nelson; his brother James Coffey, and brothers-in law Eugene Flynn and Jack Gay.  He is lovingly remembered by Joan, his wife of 65 years; children Tim (Cheryl) Coffey of Clinton, TN, Bruce (Lynn) Coffey of Mercer Island, WA, Shari (Dean) Friedel of Grant, NE; grandchildren Justin (Whitney) Coffey, of London, KY, Corey (Billie Jo) Coffey, of Heiskell, TN, Terry (Danielle) Coffey, of Clinton, TN, Blair Coffey, of San Francisco, CA, Erin Coffey, of Spokane, WA, Alecia (Eric) Einspahr, of Lincoln, NE, Emma (Jobe Castor) Friedel, of Huron, SD, Claire Friedel, of Kearney, NE; great-grandchildren Harper and Hallie Coffey, Lilly and Lorelei Coffey, Ethan Hunt, Adalyn Coffey, Reagan Einspahr, Bryson and Jayden Castor; sister-in-law Joy Coffey, Fargo, ND, sisters Katy Flynn, Blair, NE, Joan (Con) Smith, Kearney, NE, Jean (Paul) Pristas, Newcastle, CO, brother Dick (Joanruth) Coffey, Friday Harbor, WA.

Robert graduated (as valedictorian) from Blair High School in Blair, NE in 1995.  He attended Dana College in Blair, NE, and Iowa State University in Ames, IA, graduating in 1955 with a degree in mechanical engineering.  Robert married Joan Nelson on Nov. 26, 1955, and the two traveled to Anchorage, Ala., where he served in the U.S. Army.  Robert and Joan were blessed with three children: Tim, Bruce and Shari.  Robert’s engineering career brought the family to La Crosse, WI, Naperville, IL, Minneapolis, MN, and Brookfield, WI, where he was employed by the Trane Co., Carrier Corp. and S.C. Johnson, from which he retired after more than 20 years of service.  Outside of work, Robert enjoyed running, hockey, golf, curling, travel, family genealogy, and attending and participating in his children’s and grandchildren’s activities.

Robert and Joan were active members of Calvary Lutheran Church in Brookfield, WI, Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Racine, WI, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hartford, WI, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Menomonee Falls, WI.

Gathering will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Thursday, May 13, 2021, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Memorial Service at 11:00 AM. Cremation was chosen, and cremains will be interred at West Lawn Memorial Park in Racine, WI at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to a charity of your choice.

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