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Robert Cunningham Obituary
Robert Cunningham
Robert G. Cunningham, 82, Bismarck, died March 5, 2007, at Medcenter One. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with the Rev. Thomas Kramer officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck.
A rosary and wake will be held at 7 p.m. today at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place.
Robert was born Oct. 28, 1924, at LaMoure, the son of George and Myrtle (Larson) Cunningham, Grand Rapids. He grew to manhood on the family farm along the banks of the James River, east of Grand Rapids. He had a life-long love for the farm.
After graduating from LaMoure High School in 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946 at Fort Snelling, after which he returned to the family farm.
In 1947, he moved with his family to Washburn, where he met and married Marilyn Wahl. They moved to Minneapolis while Robert attended school. Together, they began their life living in small North Dakota towns while Robert was employed as an agent/telegrapher for the Northern Pacific Railroad, which brought them to Driscoll in 1959. In 1969, he was appointed postmaster at Driscoll, where he served until in retirement in September 1990. In 1997, they moved to Bismarck to make their home.
While living in Driscoll, Robert was active in community affairs. He served as correspondent for the Order of Railroad Telegraphers Magazine for several years and was elected vice president and president of the North Dakota Chapter of the National Association of Postmasters. In addition, he was very active in the Driscoll Men's Club, where he served as secretary for many years and was elected vice president and president. He was a member of the AMVETS, American Legion and Elks Lodge 1199.
Robert had a wonderful gift for entertaining others with his many stories and jokes. Whenever he was with company, laughter filled the room. He enjoyed visiting his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and loved sending them valentines and small gifts. In 1999, he wrote a book chronicling his family history and presented a copy to each of his children and grandchildren, who greatly appreciated the time and effort he spent leaving them with a history of the Cunningham family. He also authored the book "Pearls of the Prairie, Life in Small Dakota Towns," which was published in 2002.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn, Bismarck; two sons, Robert Gregory (Keney), Bismarck, and George W. (Joni), Aliso Veijo, Calif.; three daughters, Stephanie (Kelly) Aguirre, Jacksonville, Ore., Susan (Jim) Edwards, Aurora, Colo., and Judy (Ron) Kalainov, Steele; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Genevieve Richards; and two brothers, Philip and David.
Robert will be dearly missed but never forgotten.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Bernard Mission School, Fort Yates, or God's Child Project, Bismarck.
Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of Robert and sign the online guest book.
Robert G. Cunningham, 82, Bismarck, died March 5, 2007, at Medcenter One. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, with the Rev. Thomas Kramer officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck.
A rosary and wake will be held at 7 p.m. today at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place.
Robert was born Oct. 28, 1924, at LaMoure, the son of George and Myrtle (Larson) Cunningham, Grand Rapids. He grew to manhood on the family farm along the banks of the James River, east of Grand Rapids. He had a life-long love for the farm.
After graduating from LaMoure High School in 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946 at Fort Snelling, after which he returned to the family farm.
In 1947, he moved with his family to Washburn, where he met and married Marilyn Wahl. They moved to Minneapolis while Robert attended school. Together, they began their life living in small North Dakota towns while Robert was employed as an agent/telegrapher for the Northern Pacific Railroad, which brought them to Driscoll in 1959. In 1969, he was appointed postmaster at Driscoll, where he served until in retirement in September 1990. In 1997, they moved to Bismarck to make their home.
While living in Driscoll, Robert was active in community affairs. He served as correspondent for the Order of Railroad Telegraphers Magazine for several years and was elected vice president and president of the North Dakota Chapter of the National Association of Postmasters. In addition, he was very active in the Driscoll Men's Club, where he served as secretary for many years and was elected vice president and president. He was a member of the AMVETS, American Legion and Elks Lodge 1199.
Robert had a wonderful gift for entertaining others with his many stories and jokes. Whenever he was with company, laughter filled the room. He enjoyed visiting his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and loved sending them valentines and small gifts. In 1999, he wrote a book chronicling his family history and presented a copy to each of his children and grandchildren, who greatly appreciated the time and effort he spent leaving them with a history of the Cunningham family. He also authored the book "Pearls of the Prairie, Life in Small Dakota Towns," which was published in 2002.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn, Bismarck; two sons, Robert Gregory (Keney), Bismarck, and George W. (Joni), Aliso Veijo, Calif.; three daughters, Stephanie (Kelly) Aguirre, Jacksonville, Ore., Susan (Jim) Edwards, Aurora, Colo., and Judy (Ron) Kalainov, Steele; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Genevieve Richards; and two brothers, Philip and David.
Robert will be dearly missed but never forgotten.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Bernard Mission School, Fort Yates, or God's Child Project, Bismarck.
Go to www.eastgatefuneral.com to share memories of Robert and sign the online guest book.
Published by The Bismarck Tribune on Mar. 9, 2007.
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