Robert Harold "Bob" Wilkes

1929 - 2026

Robert Harold Wilkes, age 96, of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully March 10, 2026. Born April 15, 1929, Robert was raised in Waite Park. Robert was a devoted husband to Lorraine Mary (Knopik) Wilkes for 71 years. Robert is preceded in death by his father, Harold Joseph Wilkes, and his mother, Sadie Marion (St. Onge) Wilkes, as well as his brother, Timothy Clemet Wilkes. Living relatives include his former sister-in-law, Ardell (Bremer) Wilkes; his niece, Jeanie Marie (Wilkes) Kuebelbeck, and her husband, Bruce Allen Kuebelbeck, and their son, Chad Allen Kuebelbeck.

Robert or Bob, as everyone called him, was a member of the National Guard 47th Infantry and later activated to serve in the Korean War. Bob married the love of his life, Lorraine Mary (Knopik) Wilkes, on June 26, 1954. His career at the Waite Park Car Shops with BNSF Railway as an electrician spanned 37 years. After Bob retired, Bob and Lorraine traveled the United States for years in their motor home. They moved from Minnesota to Tucson, Arizona, where they lived for 35 years. Throughout these years, Bob and Lorraine had many close friends who shared their passion for card playing.

Bob has been a lifelong learner. Even at the age of 96, he stayed current with state and world-wide events because he was an avid reader. As a result, he loved to have spirited conversations on a variety of topics with friends as well as with nieces and nephews. As a former high school hockey player himself, Bob loved to watch sports live and on TV. He followed sports teams, especially baseball, from both Arizona and Minnesota. Bob truly had a caring heart and was loved by all who knew him. Later in life, Bob and Lorraine moved back to Minnesota for the final years of their lives.

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