ROBERT B. DANIELSON was born October 23, 1924 in Oakland, Nebraska to Charles O. and Anna (Jensen) Danielson. He passed away Friday, November 21, 2008 at Oakland Heights in Oakland at the age of 84 years.

Bob graduated from Oakland High School in 1943. On August 13, 1943, he was drafted into the U. S. Army.  In August 1944, he was sent to Europe and served as a Tail Gunner on a B17 with the 351st Bomb Group, 511 Squadron, where he participated in 24 sorties over enemy occupied territory. On December 6, 1944, he was in a battle with 150 German fighter planes. He got 13 of them- 6 kills and 7 probables. Bob ended up with shrapnel imbedded in his leg. His philosophy since surviving the 24th mission is, “Each day is better. Life is great and is to be enjoyed.” He spent 9 months in the hospital before being honorably discharged on September 28, 1945. Bob was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with Bronze Battle Stars, Air Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster, Overseas Service Ba, the Purple Heart and was nominated for the Distinguished Flying Cross.

On June 20, 1954, Robert married Frelon A. Larsen at the West Side Methodist Church in rural Oakland. To this union one daughter, Barbara Ann, was born. They made their home in Oakland, where he was a self-employed carpenter for 60 years. He also worked at the Barnes Honey Plant, where he met Frelon.  Bob and Frelon celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 20, 2004.

Bob was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Oakland. After his marriage, he joined the West Side Methodist Church, where he held many offices within the church. He currently was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Oakland. Bob also served as the head of the Lenten Prayer Breakfast for over 30 years.

Bob was a member of the Ryan VFW Post No. 5543, American Legion Post No 46 and the Oakland Lions Club.  In June 2007, Bob was the runner-up for the King of the Swedish Festival.

Bob was also a bee keeper for many years. He loved to garden and was Santa’s helper for over 40 years. He enjoyed playing cards, coffee, handing out candy and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bob loved to fish and most of the time, after cleaning them, would share his catch with the ladies in town. He also loved to golf and in his younger years, taught Shannon to golf.

.He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Viola Ramspott, Fern Presser, Esther Burnell, Kate Hoggatt and Dorothy Conway; brothers: John and Oscar Danielson.

Survivors include his wife: Frelon of Oakland; daughter and son-in-law: Barb and Stan Harney of Craig, Nebraska; two grandchildren: Shannon (Angie) Harney of Oakland, Wendi (Joe) Anderson of Plainview, Nebraska; four great grandchildren:  Tyson, Jaden and Taryn Harney and Braylon Anderson; sisters: Dolores Johnson of Lyons, Nebraska, Bonnie (John) Ling of Cedar Falls, Iowa,  Mae Wedergren of Oakland; sisters-in-law: Mary Danielson of West Point, Nebraska, Ilene (Don) Hayes of Lyons; many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Robert was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Tuesday, November 25, 2008, 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Oakland. Military Honors by Ryan VFW Post No. 5543 and American Legion Post No. 46.

BURIAL:Westside Cemetery, rural Oakland at a later date.

VISITATION: Monday 1- 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 6 - 8 p.m. and a 7:00 p.m. PRAYER SERVICE all at Pelan Funeral Services Oakland. Visitation will also beheld Tuesday at the church one hour prior to the service.

MEMORIALS: Oakland First United Methodist Church, Oakland Public Library and Oakland Lions Club

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Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

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