Photo courtesy of DUNNIGAN-DIX FUNERAL HOME - CANDO
Jul 1, 1930 - Apr 16, 2024
Our thoughts and prayers are with Peggy and family. Lorna and I enjoyed trips to N. Dakota for visits at the farm and in Cando. Bob was great to keep in touch with his Canadian Plemel cousins. May you continue to celebrate Bob for generations to come.
Jim Plemel
April 27, 2024 | Saskatoon, SK | Family
To the Plemel Family,
We are sorry for your loss. Bob was a good friend of our Dad, Clint. They shared birthday greetings, being one day apart. Bob was a charismatic guy and a great friend & neighbor. A true gentleman. Our deepest condolences.
The Connor Clan
Patrick Connor
April 26, 2024 | Shoreview, MN | Friend
My Sympathies to Greg & Judy along with Bob's entire family. It sounds like it was a Life Very Well Lived. You will
all be in our Thoughts and Prayers
Rod Dahlstrom
April 24, 2024 | Grand Forks, ND | Friend
Single Memorial Tree
CU Sports Medicine Staff
April 23, 2024 | Erie, CO
My deepest sympathy goes out to Peggy and Bob's family. May the love and memories you shared with Bob sustain you in the days come.
Judy Barstad
April 23, 2024 | Sheyenne, ND | Friend
So sorry for your loss thinking of you today. Elizabeth Bob is with his fishing buddies up in heaven now.
Carol Erickson
April 23, 2024 | Hawley, MN | Friend
My condolences go out to the Plemel family for their loss. My deepest sympathy goes to Joe and wife and family. It will be 50 years in August that I was a freshman at N.D.S.U., and met Joe for the first time. He was a senior in High School
and I can honestly say, when I think of it, his laugh still reverberates thru my being. You were a gifted student, and if I recall, you were very adept with your English Literature studies. You and Duane
Dumdai were in the same caliber.You...
James Engelhart
April 22, 2024 | PAYSON, AZ | Friend
There will never be another like you. I love you so very much. Thank you for the memories. I will never, ever forget. I love you Uncle Bob.
Kathleen
April 22, 2024
I am so sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I didn't know him well but was special to me as he was one of Joe Eisenzimmer's fishing buddies. The four, Bob, Joe, Donnie and Bob had so much fun together as well as Bob Gaffrey. Of the four, all are gone now - on to better fishing somewhere where the water and fishing are perfect. God is with him, guiding him to the best fishing spots. God's blessings to Peggy and family and God bless the good man that he was.
Julie Jackson
April 21, 2024 | Fargo, ND | Friend
Bob, (or Sonny as Grandma Nellie liked to call him), 93, was called to heaven on Tuesday, April 16t, 2024 with his beloved Peggy holding his hand.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 26th, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm followed by a prayer service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cando, ND. Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Father Daniel Musgrave, will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Sacred Heart at 1:00 pm. Burial will be at the Starkweather Cemetery at a later date with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to a North Dakota based charity.
Bob was born July 1, 1930 at the family farm in Starkweather, ND to Nellie and Robert Plemel Sr. He graduated from Starkweather High School in 1949 and attended Wahpeton State College. Bob was drafted into the United States Army and served in communications from 1951-1953 during the Korean conflict.
Bob was joined in Holy Matrimony to Margaret (Peggy) Fitzgerald on May 26, 1955. They were wed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake, ND. For 46 years, they made their home and raised their children on the family farm. They were blessed with 8 children in 9 years and their angel, Steven David, who was born and went to heaven on June 21, 1972. Family blessings have overflowed with 28 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren. As an only child, nothing pleased Bob more than to surround himself with his family. The grandchildren especially loved when he tied their socks together! One could hear them giggling all throughout the house!
Bob began farming in 1953 with his father. He was a brilliant farmer and also raised registered Black Angus cattle. Every fall, there was a chicken processing party at the farm and the whole family was involved (whether they wanted to be or not!). He operated a wholesale business with Harvest Service Corporation for 16 years, distributing combine parts throughout many states. Bob was selected to grow foundation and certified seed for NDSU and county programs. He had the honor of being named as the NDSU “Outstanding Farmer” of the Year for Towner County and also as a member of the NDSU President’s Club. Bob was an active member of the North Dakota Angus Association and the Starkweather Booster Club. He enjoyed sharing his talent and knowledge as a 4-H Leader for 15 years Bob had immense pride in his calling to be a farmer and retired from farming and business in 1992. He and Peggy moved off the family farm to their home in Cando in 2001. The farm is now in the trusted hands of the 4th and 5th generation of the Plemel family.
Bob was a man of deep faith and very active in the Catholic Church. Throughout many years he served on the Parish Councils in leadership roles at both Assumption of Mary Catholic Church, Starkweather and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cando. He was a Council President, Trustee, lector and Eucharistic Minister. Bob served on the Mercy Hospital Board of Directors, holding various officer roles including Chairman of the Board, from 1983–1994. Bob joined The Knights of Columbus on November 11, 1963. He furthered his commitment and became a Fourth Degree Knight in 1980. He was also a longtime member of both the Elks Lodge and American Legion.
Throughout his life Bob was quite the golfer. On July 15, 1990 he had a hole in one at the Cando Golf Club and he was so proud of that accomplishment! He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved teaching his children and grandchildren the finer skills of his hobbies and had numerous buddies that he enjoyed sharing those activities with. He was also known for his apple pie and loved sharing his secret…sprinkling sugar on the bottom crust! Bob and Peggy enjoyed traveling and delighted in attending any activity involving their grandchildren or great-grandchildren. He had immense pride in them all and loved them deeply.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Peggy, his children: Therese (Bill) Flesch; Joseph (Judy); Patrick (Marci); Elizabeth (Steve) Scott; Mary O’Brien; Dan (Louise); Jeff (Debbie) and Greg (Judy). A proud Grandpa to 28 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren. Bob and Peggy also have 6 bonus grandchildren, 16 bonus great-grandchildren and 1 bonus great-great grandchild as well as numerous “adopted children” whom they shared their joy with.
Bob was preceded in death by an infant son, Steven David. His infant sister, Marie, his father and mother, Robert Sr. and Nellie.
Bob has blessed us all with many memories He will be so very greatly missed and forever in our hearts.
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