Date of Birth:
Wednesday, November 30, 1932
Date of Death:
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Age:
79 years old

Robert “Bob” Gansen

Robert William Gansen, age 79 of Rochester passed away on November 7, 2012 at St. Marys Hospital. Robert was born on November 30, 1932 (also his mother’s birthday) in Elma, IA to William and Mary Loretta (Richardson) Gansen. At the age of 4, they moved to Lime Springs, IA, where he attended rural school. He worked with his father in farming and ultimately for the Gansen Sand and Gravel business. In February of 1953, he was drafted into the US Army and served during the Korean War. Following his duties, he moved to Rochester in 1956. He married June Scheevel on October 27, 1956 in Cherry Grove, MN. He worked for the Pontiac dealership in Rochester for 28 years before working for Seneca Foods until his retirement. In his retirement, he enjoyed helping his son at Auto Techs of Rochester. Bob enjoyed working on cars, doing home upgrades, traveling, and most of all, visiting with family and friends. He and his family were members of Homestead United Methodist Church in Rochester for over 50 years.

He is survived by his wife June of 56 years, five children, Peggy (Jeff) Skelly of Plainview, MN, Dean (Crystal) Gansen of Kasson, Roger (Chris) Gansen of Hayfield, MN, James (Lesa) Gansen of Stewartville, MN, and William “Bill” (Denise) Gansen of Rochester, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, a brother James Gansen of Bolivar, MO, a sister Lois Bronner of Lime Springs, IA, a sister-in-law Elsie Mae (Ken) Holm of Byron, MN, a brother-in-law Donovan (Kathy) Scheevel of Story City, IA and many nieces and nephews.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law, a nephew and a great-niece.

A funeral service for Robert will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home officiated by Rev. Bruce Buller. Visitation will be held from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, November 9, 2012 at the River Park Chapel, and one hour prior to the service. Robert’s body will be donated to the Mayo Clinic Department of Anatomy for research.

The family prefers memorials be sent to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart or Stroke Association.

Macken Funeral Home is handling arrangements and online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com