Robert Elstad

Robert "Bob" Elstad of Warsaw, MN, passed away Wednesday, January 2, at the age of 70.

Memorial visitation and gathering of relatives and friends will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2013 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault. Interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Monday, January 7, 2013

Bob was born on April 16, 1942 in Northfield, MN to Fulton and Vera (Fremouw) Elstad. Bob grew up in Cannon City, where he attended country school. He graduated Faribault Senior High School in 1960 and then trained at Great Lakes Naval Academy. Following his service in the Navy, Bob return to the Faribault area where he was a life-long resident. Bob married Linda (Wichmann) Elstad in 1965 and raised three children. After a divorce, he married Janette Mens in 1989 in St. Louis Park. The two resided in Warsaw, Minnesota, celebrating their 23 wedding anniversary just days before Bob's passing. Bob worked for 30 years at Crown, Cork & Seal, retiring in 2001. Bob was good-hearted and found joy in simple places. He enjoyed his time with people, particularly his grandchildren, and loved his pets, animals, fishing & nature.

Bob is survived by his wife Janette (Janke) of Faribault; three children John (Shelly) Elstad of Lakeville, Jim (Tracy) Elstad of Hugo, and Jessie (Tom) Schlieman of Richmond; seven grand children and one great-grandchild; two brothers Carmon (Elaine) of Cannon Falls and Richard (Diane) of Wabasha, and eight sisters, Joyce (Merlyn) Waslie of Cannon Falls, Geri (Hank) Dotzler of Lakeville, Ellen Paul of Highland Park, Gini (Bill) Sartor of Faribault, Kate (Dave) Wagner of Tower, Jane Elstad and Don Bettinger of Nowthen , Jean Woznak & Howie Wolfe of Robbinsdale and Lauri (Keith) Remund of Waseca; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family. He is preceded in death by his mother & father and sister Mari Neale.