Robert "Bob" L. Tonniges

Robert Lee Tonniges was born on September 26, 1939 to Arthur and Anna (Matzner) Tonniges on the farm in rural Gresham. He attended Gresham High School graduating in 1957. On December 14, 1958 Robert was united in marriage to Adelle Davidson at St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Gresham.  Robert was a self-employed farmer and truck salesman working with his son, Kent and grandson, Travis at Tonniges Motors. In his early years, Robert worked for the Department of Transportation as part of the I-80 construction project. He was also employed by and managed Gresham Grain Co-op and co-owned the Tonniges Chevrolet car dealership in Gresham, with two of his uncles. He enjoyed buying, selling and looking at trucks. He especially enjoyed attending his kids, grandkids and great grandkids school activities and sporting events. He was a member of the Gresham Fire Department from 1960 to 2024. His original Nebraska EMT license number was 304 and was issued July 1, 1976. In contrast, his granddaughter, Danielle, received her license in 2015 with a number over 21,000. He served on several church boards at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church which included serving as a trustee. He served on the Gresham Public School Board, Gresham Village Board and was a member of the Gresham Community Club. He volunteered for many village projects.  Robert passed away on May 10, 2024 at his home in Gresham at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife, Adelle Tonniges of Gresham; children, Cynthia Schulte (Dan Otto) of Shelby, Robin Moore of Lincoln, and Kent (Linda) Tonniges of Gresham; grandchildren, Danielle (Jay) Scheele, Travis (Tracy) Tonniges, Tiffany (DJ) Talbott, Britney (Rory) Petska, Paige Schulte, Kayla (Matt) Sheehan; great grandchildren, Maddie Leifert, Saige Scheele, Kylie Talbott, Kalyn Talbott, Paityn Scheele, Kyndall Talbott, Eastyn Scheele, Case Scheele, Owen Sheehan, Wyatt Petska, Gavin Sheehan, Ren Petska, Whitt Petska; brother, Randy (Susie) Tonniges; brother-in-law, Orville Davidson; sisters-in-law, Pat Chapman and Linda Davidson; many nieces, nephews and a host of family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Anna Tonniges; parents-in-law, Mae (Stoddard) Davidson, Louis and Maxine Davidson; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Suzanne Tonniges; brothers-in-law, Bob Chapman and Mel Davidson; sisters-in-law, Jan Davidson and Sharon Davidson. 

“Last Call” Gresham Volunteer Fire Department

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