Robert "Bob" Munneke

1935 - 2025

Pastor Robert (Bob) Munneke, age 90, died at home on Sept. 19, 2025, surrounded by family. Bob was born March 11, 1935, in Keokuk, Iowa, to Katherine Lee Inman and Lester Munneke. He graduated in 1953 from Monmouth High School.

A lifelong baritone horn player, Bob marched in the University of Illinois marching band while pursuing a degree in political science. He would often recall the excitement about marching in President Dwight Eisenhower's presidential inauguration parade in 1957. Bob loved music and often declared that heaven would be filled with brass players. Bob played his baritone in community and church bands for more than 50 years.

At Augustana Theological Seminary in Rock Island, Ill., Bob earned a Master of Divinity degree, in 1961. While attending seminary, Bob worked as a city planner for the city of Moline, Ill.

Bob was ordained as a Lutheran pastor on June 18, 1961. He married Darlene Hatling in Yakima, Wa., just a week later, on June 25, 1961. Together, Bob and Darlene embarked on a 56-year journey of ministry. Leading by faith, connecting and supporting congregations and communities, and advocating for vulnerable people were hallmarks of his ministry. Bob shared God's welcome with all and nurtured the discovery of each other's gifts.

Bob served as pastor at the following Minnesota congregations:

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Twig (1961-1968)

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Duluth (1961-1963)

St. Peters Lutheran Church, Canyon (1967-1968)

Bethel Lutheran Church, Little Falls (1968-1978)

First Lutheran Church, Lake City (1978-1988)

First Lutheran Church, Aitkin (1988-2000)

After retiring, Bob served as interim pastor at the following congregations:

Grace Lutheran Church, McGregor (2001-2003)

Crosby Ironton Presbyterian Church, Crosby-Ironton (2003-2004)

First Presbyterian Church, Bemidji (2005-2006)

First United Church, Coleraine and Bovey (2007)

Our Saviors Lutheran, Aurora (2008-2009)

Immanuel Lutheran, Hillman (2010-2011)

After several years of interim ministry, Bob returned to First Lutheran Church in Aitkin, where he served as part-time visitation pastor (2012-2017).

Bob was especially driven to make a difference in the areas of social justice, immigration, education, global missions, hunger and the environment. He pursued leadership and advocacy opportunities within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, congregations and the broader community. He also served on the Aitkin Habitat for Humanity board for more than two decades.

During the 1970s, many families from Southeast Asia were in crisis and living in refugee camps. Bob was co-founder and first president of the ecumenical Lake City Refugee Resettlement Committee, which at one time was the longest running, continuously operating refugee resettlement program in Minnesota. More than 800 refugees were helped through this program, which received national recognition and a nomination for a presidential citation. Bob was also appointed to serve on the Minnesota Governor's Advisory Council on Refugee Resettlement.

Deeply supportive of the activities of his kids and grandkids, Bob would often organize parent fan buses to go to out-of-town basketball games. He attended every possible sporting event and concert (which when his kids were in college often meant driving 300+ miles through Saturday night to get back in time for leading worship services). Bob loved supporting what his kids and grandkids were doing. Bob's love of basketball began when he was a young boy; ultimately he became a "super fan" of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, after his son joined the staff.

One of Bob's favorite places was the family cabin on Ten Mile Lake in northern Minnesota. The 110-year-old cabin was the location from which Bob welcomed church youth groups, helped kids learn to waterski, led waterfront worship services, and hosted family reunions.

Bob received numerous awards over the years in recognition for his community involvement, ecumenical community-building, refugee resettlement efforts, group home development, and sports boosterism.

Bob is survived by wife Darlene, son Jeff (Julie) Munneke, daughter Janine (Bruce), grandchildren Ty (Morgan) Munneke, Megan Munneke, Teagan Johnson and Sheyda Johnson, great-granddaughter Juliet Munneke, brother Allen Munneke, sister-in-law Gloria Buchan (John), and sister-in-law Leslie Hatling (Bud Pierce).

Bob's memorial service, officiated by Pastor Joel Pancoast, was held Sept. 25 at Zion Lutheran Church in Loveland, Col. Memorials suggested to Zion Lutheran Church, Global Refuge, or any of the churches where Bob served.