Robert Schuring

Robert Lee Schuring was born December 28, 1930, near Roberts Creek in the Fifield area to Louis and Henrietta (Kelderman) Schuring.  He attended various local grade schools in Otley, Lincoln, and Iola.

In 1951-1952 he and his brother operated the Schuring Brothers dairy north of Pella, and worked at Marshall Canning Factory. When Henry went to service, Robert began work at Pella Rolscreen as a tool sharpener.

When First Reformed Church was started in the old Knoxville Women's Club building, Robert drove his family and neighbors to attend there.  While Robert was Sunday School Superintendent and Dolores was the pianist he met and got to know her.  He married Dolores Elaine Mathes daughter of Clifford and Bertha (Kamerick) Mathes, on May 28, 1956.

They first made their home farming the first two years near Columbia, where they attended Columbia Baptist Tabernacle, where they became acquainted with nontraditional means of Christian ministry. In 1958, they moved to John R. Van Gorp’s farm near Eureka Cemetery.  While there Charles Burton of American Sunday School visited them and asked, “ There is a need in Southern Iowa, why don’t you go?”  He made a joke of it but with those words, God was able to guide them to a fuller life for HIM.  Robert served in Sunday schools in Pershing, and Raccoon River Bible Camps and many tent camps in Wisconsin.  He attended  Grace Bible University in Omaha, New Tribes training in Wisconsin. In 1967 they went to Brazil where he worked in various capacities, (in missionary kids school at Vianopolis, work administer in Peniel, supply man to the Krinkati, Timbiri). In 1970 they began pioneer work with the Urubu/Ka’apor, always moving to the end of the trail, as they waited the ever elusive permits to live on the reservation. He planted also a local church in Nova Olinda.  They did take a break for eight years to do bookkeeping at mission headquarters.

In 1995 they left the challenges amongst the Ka’apor to retire in Pella, to provide a stateside address for grandchildren looking for more schooling.  He filled in pulpits and served at Friendship Church in Knoxville, and later as calling pastor at Third Reformed Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and parents-in law, three sisters  Mary Lou, Beatrice Van Howeling, and Jennie Breen, one brother Jacob, one son Rodger Duane Schuring, one granddaughter Rachel Renae Schuring, and one son-in-law David Hanna.

Robert is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dolores, six children, 35 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, his sister Henrietta Van Englehoven, and his brothers Henry Schuring, and Kenneth Schuring.

Wherever he went Robert left a mark for Christ.

Family:

Rodney & Ruth Schuring… Phillip, Andrew

             Guy & Keyla Burkhead … Michael,  Hailah ,Serina & Levi

              Andy & Kathy Jarvis …Gabriel  & Sharlotte                                   

LuAnn (Rodger’s Widow) & Mark  Stoddard

            Garrett & Melissa Schuring Staten

            Scott (Schuring) & AJ Stoddard . ..Zoe, Aaron, Sarah &  Nathaniel

            Ben (Schuring) & Megan  Stoddard … Natalie, Caleb, Coen & Eleanor

Dan & Marcy Schuring

            Stefan & Sharon Kern…Cohen, Christian, Wesley & Alex

            Tessa  Angelo… Ellen, Cody, Chase, & Finnley

            Daniel & Emily Schuring….Eliana & Atlas

            Jason & Kristyna Schuring…Myla 

            Scott & Joy Speers …. Hunter, Haley & Waverly

Denitta Hanna … Robbie, Delorah

             Karl & Denise Herrick... Chesley & Kaden

            Jared & Dieneke Henderson. .Carolyn, Henry, Reese, Ivy, Steven & Titus

            Gratchen & Deanna Grison…Gabriel, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Haniel, Uriah & Manoah

            Derrick & Samantha Hanna

Reuben & Lydia Schuring … Bekah & Leah

            Jonathan & Sarah Thyng... Tyler & Rachel

            Jason & Bethany Schuring Link… Ian

Russell & Rebekah Schuring … Jesse, Jed, Janaiza, Jared & Jayme

           Garett & Priscilla Schuring

           Jaalah & Luke Kanagy

           Janessa & RJ Borja

           Austin & Jacinda Davis ...Angelina

DuAnne & Kevin  TerLouw … Samara, Gina , Michael

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Schuring Ministries.