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GRAUSAM, Robert, "Bob", age 82, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. Bob was born on November 29, 1938 and was the eldest of eight siblings. Following his high school graduation from New Ulm Cathedral High School, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy serving aboard the USS Forrestal as a Yeoman.
While on leave in the Navy, Bob met Nancy Ring and married the love of his life on Aug. 27, 1960 in St. Paul, MN. It was in Minnesota that they began their marriage of 60 years, raising four beautiful children together.
Bob was proud of his career in the insurance industry and retired from Employer's Mutual Casualty of Des Moines, Iowa in 2006. A majority of his career was spent as a marketing representative which took him from his home state of MN to MT, ND, and, finally, ID. The respect of his clients and peers in the industry was acknowledged by being named the "Field Person or Company Person of the Year" in each state in which he worked.
Bob was a lifelong devout Catholic and volunteered extensively for all of his home parishes. He attained the rank of 4th Degree Faithful Navigator in the Knights of Columbus and was an eager participant of the Bishop's Honor Guard. Bob was an avid sports fan but was especially fond of golf and the camaraderie of his numerous golfing buddies.
Upon retirement in Boise, ID, Bob and Nancy enjoyed the fruits of their labor by traveling extensively throughout the western US. In 2014, Bob and Nancy moved back to their home state of Minnesota to be closer to family. After all, family was his passion. As a way of life, Bob maintained his 43 year friendship with Bill W. He never tired of the program or the people.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Dodie, his sister, Sr. Mary Ann, and his brother, Mike and sister-in-law Theresa Grausam.
Bob is survived by his wife Nancy; four children, Steve (Connie), Paul (Dee), Lori Lukumbusho (Stephen), and Susan Currie (Nick); nine grandchildren, Andrew (Katie), Katie, Aaron (Nicole), Alison, Paulo, Carolyn, Stephano, Peter and Jake; and one great-grandchild, John. He is also survived by his siblings, Tom, Pat Burdick (Steve), John (Evie), Nanette Helgeson (Bob), Jim (Sandy); sister-in-law, Kathy Grausam; and brothers-in-law, David (Mary) Ring, Joe (Susan) Ring, Dennis Ring.
A family funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, Bloomington, MN adhering to Covid restrictions. A visitation will be one hour prior to the mass. The details to live stream the mass will be posted on Bob's CaringBridge site or can be found on the Gill Brothers site.
Arrangements made by Gill Brothers Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Fairview Hospice, or a charity of your choice in Bob's memory.
www.gillbrothers.com