Robert John Zakeer

Robert John Zakeer, longtime Fort Dodge resident, passed away at 11:58pm on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at the Paula Baber Hospice Home. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 24, 2015 in the Chapel of Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home and 10:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church with Msgr. Kevin McCoy officiating the Mass of Christian Burial. Cremation Rites will follow the Funeral Mass. Burial will be at Corpus Christi Cemetery at a later date. A visitation will be 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday with the K of C Rosary at 5:00 p.m. all at Corpus Christi Church. Bob was born on January 25, 1924 to Carl and Smi Zakeer in Fort Dodge. He attended public schools and left high school in the 11th grade. He worked with his father Carl and brother Don at the Zakeer's Appliance Store. Bob was married to Marie Nasser in Sioux City on May 25, 1957 and they made their home in Fort Dodge. In Sept. 1961, Bob and his wife Marie bought the Country Kitchen Restaurant at 23 S. 8th St. from his Aunt Thelma Saigh. He and his wife worked together with the help of Bob's mother Smi, who was well known for her culinary abilities. In 2001, the city of Fort Dodge purchased his building and demolished same. Bob loved to bowl and traveled with the KoC bowling team. In 2003, he and his wife purchased the building at 425 2nd Ave. South, which had housed Wanna's Won-Ton Restaurant and opened Zakeer's Restaurant for and with his son Tom. Bob continued helping his son as the official greeter and cashier and enjoyed the title of "Go For" until he was sidelined by a stroke. He then took to sports on TV and rooted for the Vikings, Minn. Twins, Cyclones, and Hawkeyes. He immensely enjoyed watching his grandsons Jace and Seth play baseball, football, and basketball as they were growing up. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marie; his son, Tom and his wife April and her son River; his granddaughter, Miranda and her two children Alyna and Andreus; his grandsons, Jace and Seth Zakeer; his sister-in-law, Susan Zakeer of Blaine, MN; and many nieces and nephews, including Denny and Elaine Huss of Fort Dodge and their families. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lori Jean Zakeer Myers who passed away in 2004, his parents Carl and Smi Zakeer and his brother, Donald. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the St. Edmond Catholic School Tuition Fund, Paula Baber Hospice House, Unity Point Hospice, D/SAOC, and Holy Trinity Food Pantry. Visitation Sun, Aug 23, 2015 at 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Corpus Christi Church Service Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 10:30 am Corpus Christi Church