Robert A. Crist

Robert A. Crist

March 8, 1944 - June 30, 2024

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Robert A. Crist, 80, of Grand Island passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, June 30, 2024.

A Memorial mass in his honor will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church. Visitation will be held the hour prior. Private family burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Cambridge, Neb.

All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements, memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.

Robert was born on March 8, 1944 at Stratton, Colo., one of five children born to Heron Edward and Roxie Irene (Monroe) Crist. He was raised on area farms near Stratton Colo., Arcadia and Loup City, Neb.

He worked various jobs growing up. At a young age he worked with a harvesting crew, worked at the Sherman County Times, ran the projection at the theater in Loup City as well as construction on the Sherman Dam where he met many lifelong friends.

He attended various rural schools through the 5th grade and graduated from Loup City High School. It was there he met his high school sweetheart, Jean Laughlin. They were married May 22, 1965, and just recently celebrated their 59th anniversary. They began their married life in Grand Island and to this union they had two daughters, Karen and Connie.

He worked for Grand Island Elevator and then Cargill Nutrena Feed for 25 years. This brought his family to McCook, Neb. and Morrill, Neb. In 1992, he began employment with Continental Grain, Grant County Feeders, in Ulysses, Kan. where he worked in the mill making feed for a 100,000 plus head of cattle feedlot until his retirement in 2006. Following his retirement, Bob and Jean returned to Grand Island to be closer to family.

Bob and Jean enjoyed traveling, including a trip to Hawaii, cruising to Alaska, Panama Canal, to name a few. They also enjoyed many bus trips, and enjoyed trips to the casino. When he was younger, Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing. His family was very important to him and he enjoyed gathering with old friends, classmates, and many family reunions. After retirement he enjoyed doing some carpentry work with his brother-in-law, Jerry Skeen. He was a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and the Saddle Club.

Robert is survived by his wife, Jean; daughters, Karen (David) Geist of Greeley, Colo. and Connie (Brad) Laux of Grand Island; grandchildren, Vanessa (Brian) Tran, Devin (fiancé, Audra Dalhaus) Johnson, Dylan and Travis Geist; great grandchildren, Alex and Madeline Tran; brother, Eugene (Damon) Crist of Arkansas; sisters, Jolita Bals of Ravenna and Sharon (Jerry) Skeen of Grand Island; sister-in-law, Kay Laughlin, and brothers-in-law, Patrick (Chris) Laughlin and Jack (Pam) Laughlin all of Colorado, and many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, brother, Leonard Crist; brother- in-law, Earl Bals; and nephew, Lenny Crist.

He will be missed by all for his quirky smile, sense of humor and being the “supervisor” we all loved.