Robert was born July 22, 1926 in Canton, Minnesota to Walter and Margaret (Rice) Ward. He attended country schools and lived with his grandparents in North Dakota during the depression. Robert attended Canton High School and graduated in 1944. Robert was drafted into the United States Navy and stationed in Idaho and California until 1946. On May 2, 1949 he married Marleene Barth. They farmed in the Cresco and Hesper areas before moving to farm near Mabel in 1956. They had registered Holsteins while milking and later registered Angus cattle. In 1996 Robert and Marleene moved to the “White” house in Mabel, and continued to help their son Douglas on the farm until 2010.
Robert was a member of the Mabel First Lutheran Church, Farm Bureau, and American Angus Association. For 59 years he was a member of the American Legion Post 299 in Mabel where he served as a Commander. He enjoyed going to events for the grandchildren and playing dartball. He enjoyed traveling to North Dakota and places like Hawaii and Europe.
Robert died Saturday, August 27, 2011 at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel at the age of 85. Robert had a three month struggle with cancer.
Robert is survived by his wife Marleene of Mabel; three children Dwight (Joan) of Kasson, Minnesota, Marcia (Bob Tasca) Ward of Nodine, Minnesota, and Douglas (Traci) of Mabel, Minnesota; eleven grandchildren Clare Heuer, Jack, Paul, and Molly Ward, Megan, Amy, Betsy, and Tyler Tasca, Michael Ward, and Justin and Cody Ward; two brothers Walter (Carol) Ward, Jr. of Harmony, and Earl (Carl Ruf) Ward of Minneapolis; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son Durwin; a brother Jimmie and wife Valli; brother-in-law Darrell Barth and wife Shirley; and niece Lori Ann Ward.
Memorial services will be 2 PM Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at the Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel with the Rev. Gail Klavetter officiating. Burial with military rites by the Joseph B. Lund Post 299 will be held at the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 – 7 PM Tuesday, August 30th at the Mabel First Lutheran Church and one hour prior to services. |
