A Celebration of Life Service for Robert “Bob” Anschutz, age 91, of rural Heron Lake, was held on Tuesday, June 6th at St. Peter Lutheran Church in rural Lakefield, Minnesota with Pastor Dale Hedstrom officiating. The burial followed at Delafield Township Cemetery in rural Jackson County. Full Military Honors were provided by American Legion Post #4 of Lakefield and the American Legion Post #608 of Okabena.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.
Arrangements are under the care of the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom. Condolences and memories of Robert may be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com. Robert “Bob” Lewis Anschutz was born on June 11, 1931, in Delafield Township to the late Walter and Anna (Richter) Anschutz. He grew up in the Christian faith and was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in rural Lakefield.
Bob was a caring and humble man with the biggest heart. He will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, and great sense of humor. He will be missed dearly by family and friends.
Bob attended school in rural Jackson County and then transferred to St. Peter Lutheran School in rural Lakefield. After school, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served as a paratrooper. He was stationed at multiple Army bases in the United States before being honorably discharged in 1955. After his discharge, he returned home to Delafield Township where he began his lifelong passion of farming.
On February 4, 1956, Bob was united in marriage to Willa Dean Agent in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. Their marriage was blessed with three daughters, Donna, Vickie, and JoAnn.
Bob was an active member of the St. Peter Lutheran Church, where he served as the Sunday School superintendent, served on the finance committee, and was an usher. A true farmer, Bob enjoyed spending time driving around looking at his crops. In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, old timer’s hockey in Windom, and trapshooting, especially state and national competitions. He was an active member of the American Legion Post #4 in Lakefield and the Sun Valley Gun Club in rural Windom. He contributed to the township driving the road grader, and after retiring from the farm, you could find Bob scouting for goods at local auctions.
Bob loved life and good jokes. He especially loved to laugh with and at his family, particularly his grandkids, but certainly with and at the expense of his buddies. He loved music and singing along to his favorite country songs. Bob loved the steel guitar so much he attempted to learn to play it. He had a soft spot for animals, always carrying a treat in his pocket for his dogs, or any dog, and fed all the farm cats, even after his daughters had moved out. In the winter, you would see him on his snowmobiles, and in the summertime, he would be cruising around on his 4-wheeler and golf cart, or out fishing with one or more grandkids in tow. He was a bit of a prankster and had fun golfing with and pulling pranks on his golfing buddies and tinkering around in his shed.
Bob passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in hospice care, at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Lakefield, at the age of 91 years.
Bob is survived by his wife, Willa Dean of rural Heron Lake; three daughters, Donna (Dewayne) Hage of Lakefield, Vickie (Tim) Ollerich of rural Heron Lake, JoAnn (Tony) Claude of rural Heron Lake; five grandchildren, Leia (Steve) Simon, Ryan Christoffer, Nick (Tim) Hage, Drew (Amy) Hage, Trevor Hage; three great-grandchildren, Victoria Christoffer, Hannah Simon, Noah Simon; sister, Caroline Bosshardt of Lakefield; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Don Anschutz; brother-in-law Kenneth Bosshardt.
