Robert Jirik

Robert A. Jirik, age 84, of Faribault, passed away on Friday, February 8, 2013 at his home with his family at his side, following a brief illness.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 11, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Patrick in Shieldsville, MN. Interment with military honors will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Memorial visitation will be held at the Church of St. Patrick on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Monday for one hour prior to the services.

Arrangements are with the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory of Faribault.

Robert Anthony Jirik, the son of Thomas and Mary (Marek) Jirik, was born on May 11, 1928 in Faribault. He graduated from Bethlehem Academy High School with the class of 1946, and attended St. Thomas and St. John's University. Bob then served in the U.S. Navy from 1949 - 1952. He served aboard the USS Newport News touring the Mediterranean Sea. Following his discharge, he was united in marriage to Nancy Foss on October 4, 1952 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Faribault. For 55 years Bob worked as an electrical contractor, owning and operating Foss Electric since 1962. The firm was a member of the National Electrical Contractor Association (NECA) and he was a 55 year member of the IBEW Union 110. He enjoyed time spent at the cottage on Kelly-Dudley Lake, tending to his enormous gardens. Bob had a passion for growing apples, and took great joy in distributing them to his family and friends. He was a member of the Faribault Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus Council 889, Faribault Elks Club, and the American Legion Post 43.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy; children, Mary Jirik Brown (Mort) of West Rutland, Vermont, Mark Jirik of St. Paul, Andrew (Jane) Jirik of Burnsville, Peter Jirik of Lonsdale, Paul Jirik of St. Paul, Jim Jirik of Kilkenny, John (Sara) Jirik of Faribault, and Jane Jirik of Faribault; 16 grandchildren; one great granddaughter; sisters, Dorothy Wait of Detroit, Mich., Joanne (Don) Sage of California, and Theresa (William) McFarlin of Sarasota, FL; sister-in-law, Ann Jirik of Faribault; brother-in-law, John Lindquist of Texas; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Agnes Eslin, Anne Luxen, Catherine Jirik, Margaret Collins, and Diane Lindquist; and brother, Edward Jirik.