Robert Henry Pappenfus

Robert “Bob” Henry Pappenfus was born on July 18, 1927, to Joesph and Alma (Loosbroek) in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Shortly after birth the family moved to Melrose, MN where Joesph was in the grain elevator business. In 1944 at age 17, Bob joined the United States Navy. Bob served America in the Pacific, for two years up to the end of WWII. Just before the end of the war, Bob served aboard the USS Fond Du Lac, a troop transport ship, carrying the 5th Marine Division, scheduled for the invasion of Japan. Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, Bob was awarded his high school diploma. Bob attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN from 1947 to 1949. It was the summer of 1948 when Bob met Marian Bromenshenkel at a party on Birch Lake, North of Sauk Centre. Bob and Marian were united in marriage on July 27, 1949, in Sauk Centre. To this union four children were born, David, Jhane, MaryJo and Thomas. Bob undertook the study of law while starting this family with Marian. Bob graduated with the first class of William Mitchell Law School in 1957. That same year, Bob and Marian moved their family to Alexandria, MN. Bob started a law practice in Alexandria where he continued to practice for 58 years until his death. Bob and Marian enjoyed over 65 years of Marriage. Bob and Marian enjoyed travel, the opera, and entertaining. Bob enjoyed construction, remodeling, designing new homes, and the relationships he and Marian built during this process. Bob and Marian enjoyed deer hunting with their family like any holiday. However, what Bob and Marian enjoyed most was working together in the law practice and serving people. Bob always said, “The person who keeps the books runs the business.” Marian kept the books. Bob died and went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at the age of 87. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joesph and Alma Pappenfus; twin brother, Billy Pappenfus; grandson, Joseph Pappenfus; and sister, Dorthea Roberts. He is survived by his wife, Marian; children, David (Sandy) Pappenfus, Jhane Pappenfus, Mary Jo (Dave) Uhlenkott, and Thomas (Christine) Pappenfus; grandchildren, Daniel Uhlenkott, Rachel Pappenfus and Crystal (Ben) Salmi; great grandchildren, Bella Salmi and Emmalyn Salmi; sisters, Mary Ann Polipnick and Carlyn (Al) Ellering. Burial took place with full military honors on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at Noon, at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Camp Ripley, Little Falls, MN.

Robert Henry Pappenfus

July 18, 1927 - April 15, 2015