Obituary of Robert L. Kirkwold

Robert (Bob) L. Kirkwold, Age 88, Champlin (formerly Dayton & Starbuck) MN on 7/23/24. He was born on March 12, 1936 to Claremont and Cora (Tollefson) Kirkwold in Glenwood MN. He was baptized as an infant and confirmed at Minnewaska Lutheran. He attended school in Glenwood, Country School and Starbuck and graduated from Starbuck High School. He played Clarinet in the school band.

Bob met Eleanor when she started working at the Minnewaska Hospital in Starbuck MN. They were married in 1957. They had two children, Mark and Beth, and one foster daughter, Carol Faucher.

They made their home in Dayton, MN where they raised their kids, had lots of wonderful neighbors, friends and church family. They enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, and having neighbors for coffee! Bob also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Bob loved to work. He could fix just about anything or figure out why it couldn’t be fixed. And even then, could probably come up with a way to get it to work again. He worked for several Sewer & Water Construction companies over the years and enjoyed that. He decided to start his own Sewer & Water Company, Kirkwold Construction, in 1978. Though it was hard work he made sure he always had the best crew and also that the jobs were done correctly. He was in business until he retired in 1997.

Bob and Eleanor moved to Starbuck MN on Lake Minnewaska. They started motorcycling and took many trips and Thursday night rides with the “Wild Hogs”. Bob and Eleanor loved to travel. They went all over the United States and the world. They also enjoyed wintering in Arizona and made a lot of new friends there.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, son Mark, wife Eleanor, brother Paul Kirkwold, sister-inlaw Arlene Kirkwold, brother-in-law Gordy Halverson and nephew Jeff Kirkwold.

Bob is survived by daughters Beth (Scott) Mathies and Carol (Dave) Faucher, sisters Maxine Halverson, Janice (Tom) Pettit, brother Larry Kirkwold and sister-in-law Sue Kirkwold. He is also survived by many In-Laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Special thanks to NorBella Senior Living in Champlin and Brighton Hospice for their loving care for Bob.

Service Details:
Tuesday, July 30,2024
Anoka Covenant Church
752 Grant St, Anoka MN 55303
10am visitation, 11am service
Lunch following
Inurnment will be in September with a celebration of life in Starbuck, MN. No date set yet.

Memorials preferred to Minnewaska Lutheran Cemetery or Minnewaska Lutheran Church, or a charity of your choice.