Robert "Bob" L. Detlaff

Robert "Bob" Louis Detlaff, 65 was called home to his Lord and Savior on April 5, 2026. He was born on his father’s birthday, February 13, 1961, in Minot, ND, the 6th of 7 children to Robert Herman and Clara Belle Detlaff. He was baptized into the Christian faith on February 19, 1961 at Lynch Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Glenburn ND. He spent his early years on the farm near Glenburn.  

Bob attended NDSSS in Wahpeton.  He worked in maintenance or appliance repair for most of his life including many years at Metropolitan Service in Eau Claire and finally at the Northern Wisconsin Center in Chippewa Falls. 

He met Sarah Szedlak at Wittenberg Lutheran Chapel, Grand Forks, ND and the two were married June 30, 1991 at St Paul's Lutheran church, St. Thomas, ND. They were blessed with two children while living in Grand Forks, ND and a third after moving to Eau Claire in 1996.

Bob served churches as trustee, elder, and choir member throughout his life. He loved to sing, play volleyball, and roller-skate. He was always ready to lend a hand to family, friends, and neighbors with his tools and the know-how to use them. 

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Winona. He is survived by his loving wife of 34¾ years, children: Rachel (Chris) Grenz, David, Hannah (Zach) Scheffel, and siblings Arnold, Kevin, Colleen, Brent, and Alicia.

The family wishes to thank all those who helped care for Bob as dementia took hold of him, especially good friend Arnie Riske, the staff at Dimensions Living Eau Claire, and Heartland Hospice.

Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Lutheran Church or Stand in the Light Memory Choir.

Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Zion Lutheran Church, Cleghorn (E3720 County Road HH, Eleva, Wisconsin) with Pastor Preston Paul officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery immediately following the service with lunch at the church to follow.

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com. Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.