Robert Rosendahl

Robert Rosendahl, age 89, of Decorah died Sunday, August 31, 2014 at Wellington Place in Decorah. A Celebration of Life and Memory was held Saturday, September 6 at Glenwood Lutheran Church, Decorah, with Rev. Stacey Nalean - Carlson officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at Glenwood East Cemetery, Decorah.
Robert Howard “Bob” Rosendahl was born August 19, 1925, the son of Oscar and Carrie (Olson) Rosendahl, on the family farm in Glenwood Township, rural Decorah. Bob was baptized September 20, 1925 at the Pontoppidan Lutheran Church and confirmed May 26, 1940 at the Glenwood Lutheran Church. Bob attended country schools in Glenwood Township and graduated from Decorah High School in 1943.
Bob helped on the family farm and drove truck for his uncle, Henry Olson, before serving in the U.S. Army from 1951-52. While in the service, he spent 16 months in the Korean Conflict as a military policeman. After the service, he actively farmed with his family until he retired in 1988.
Bob was united in marriage to Leona Snyder April 27, 1956 at the United Lutheran Church in Ridgeway (Peace Lutheran Church) and they were blessed with five children.
In addition to dairy farming, Bob served the ASC for 31 years at the township and county level, the Winneshiek County Health Improvement Association (WCHIA) for 25 years, and served for 17 years on the Winneshiek County Fair Board, with the last seven years as president.
Bob clerked for the Decorah Sales Commission for over 40 years. He volunteered at the Vesterheim Museum for 14 years as a guide for the outdoor buildings and Norwegian translator. He was a long-time member of the Hadeland Lag, serving as president for eight years. Bob was also a member of the Quarterback Club at Luther College.
Bob and Leona enjoyed three trips to Norway with the Lag in retirement and they enjoyed wintering in Arizona from 1989-2012.  Bob enjoyed playing cards and attending his children's and grandchildren’s events and activities.  Bob took pride in being a good steward of the land by planting over 30,000 trees, which are still thriving today. He said that they were planted for his grandchildren to enjoy someday.
Bob was also very proud of his Norwegian heritage and that all of his children attended Luther College. Bob was a lifelong member of the Glenwood Lutheran Church. Above everything else, Bob was proud of his loving wife, children and grandchildren.
Bob is survived by his wife, Leona Rosendahl of Decorah; five children, Alan Rosendahl of Kesley, Karen (Ed) Stamper of Waukon, Alyce (Jeff) Schaller of Decorah, John (Beth) Rosendahl of Plymouth, MN, and Marilyn (Lee) Anderson of Waukon; 12 grandchildren, Benton (Greta) Stamper, Chelsey Stamper, Chad (Julie) Stamper, Dawn (Jeremy) Farnan, Jordan, Andrew and Autumn Schaller, Marcus, Jake and Julia Rosendahl, and Annika and Betsy Anderson; six great-grandchildren, Freda Stamper, Ellie, Jack and Eva Stamper, and Ryan and Quinn Farnan; one brother-in-law, Duane (Rita) Snyder of Decorah; Leona’s aunts, Helen Riehle of Spillville and Irene Haskovec of Cresco; and Lynette Ellefson of Mesa, AZ and Marjorie Hove of Decorah.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Carrie (Olson) Rosendahl; his father- and mother-in-law, Toney and Bessie (Haskovec) Snyder; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Honorary casketbearers were Dr. William Dunn, Gary Holstad, Jim Thompson, Gary Beyers, Steve Hove, Dale Nimrod, Martha Griesheimer and Bob’s morning Coffee Groups. Arrangements were entrusted to Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.