Robert Leo Wiebold

Robert Leo Wiebold, 91, of Rochester, MN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home with family by his side.

Robert was born January 6, 1933, in Rochester, MN, to Adolph and Inez (Wharton) Wiebold. He graduated from Rochester Senior High School. Robert served in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany and served from April 22, 1953, until his honorable discharge on April 9, 1955. Upon returning home he continued his employment at REA Peoples Co-op Services and retired after 43 years.

He married Joan Urban on May 8, 1955, in Rochester. They were married for 68 years.

Over the years he enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, gardening, wood working, painting, and spending time with his family. He enjoyed raising chickens along with all the other farm animals his kids managed to talk him into raising. He would never say no to a stray dog or cat that wondered into the yard. When one cat would pass another one would wonder in. He also enjoyed old gas engines and attending Threshing Bee Shows around MN. He was a long-time member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church.

Robert and Joan enjoyed retirement and spent 12 years wintering as "Snowbirds" in Mission, Texas. They enjoyed meeting new friends and just relaxing in the warm weather.

Robert will be deeply missed. Robert is survived by his loving wife Joan and three children: Scott (Barb LaFrance) of Elk River, MN, Gary (Jen) of Rochester, Jill Ryan (Tom) of Rochester. Six grandchildren; Dustin Wiebold (Kari Bachler) of Big Lake, MN, Shannon Halvorson (Joe) of Rochester, Jenny Ryan (Jon Norsten) of Coon Rapids, MN, Sarah Bucinski (Jake) of Quantico, VA, Carly Wiebold and Matthew Wiebold of Rochester; seven great-grandchildren: Layla, Amelia, Joey, Payton, Ava, Abigail, and Lauren; one brother-in-law: Thomas Bramble of Oronoco, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters Mary Lou Bramble of Oronoco, MN, and Darlene Driesbach and brother-in-law Robert Driesbach of Albert Lea, MN.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2830 18th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Visitation will start at 10:00AM at the church. Pastor Glenn Monson will be presiding. Burial will take place at Pleasant Prairie Cemetery in Rochester.

Memorials are preferred to Mount Olive Lutheran Church in memory of Robert.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Wiebold family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit: www.ranfranzandvinefh.com