Robert Duane Lawstuen

Robert (Bob) Duane Lawstuen passed away in his sleep Thursday morning November 1, 2018 at Augustana  Care Center in  Apple Valley .  Robert was born January 19, 1925 to Henry Clifford and Lydia (Bremseth) Lawstuen on the family farm in Amherst Township of rural Lanesboro. Robert attended Elstad country school and graduated from Lanesboro High School. On March 7, 1953 he was united in marriage to Ellen Jane Ruth Semmen.

Robert served in the United States Army and attended Winona State University on the GI bill and graduated with a degree in mathematics and coaching.  While in the army they utilized his mathematics skills and stationed him in New Jersey at the Army Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories. 

 Robert loved baseball (Cubs and Twins) and was a fantastic player himself. Robert started playing for the Lanesboro Town team at the age of 13. He was selected to play on the Army traveling baseball team and shared that he batted against Whitey Ford (did he get a hit?) Later in life Robert became an accomplished fast pitch softball pitcher and also enjoyed trivia, puzzles, bowling, dartball and horseshoes as well as Culver's butterscotch concrete mixers and Coke.

After college Robert returned to the family farm and established Rob-Law Holsteins. Robert bred and developed dozens of excellent cows including All-Minnesota State winners and champions at the Minnesota State Fair.  Rob-Law Holsteins exported breeding stock to numerous countries around the world.

In 1994 Robert and Ellen retired to Eagan. Robert worked at the Minneapolis/St Paul airport for several years transporting passengers to their gates and relished the conversations he had with people from across the country and around the world. 

Robert is survived by his wife of 65 years Ellen, seven children: Carl of Elko, Mike (Kelly) of Lanesboro, Richard of Eagan, Mary of Rochester, Barb (Jim) Onomiya of St Paul, Dave (Deb) of Lanesboro, and Rebecca of St Paul; seven grandchildren Matt (Amy), Michelle (Kraig) , Mark, Kirstin, Kyle, Nick and Casey ;four great-grandchildren Hayden, Ava, Ben , Jack and nine nieces and nephews;  Rodney, Bob, Cathy, Joe, John, Peter, Paul, Pam and Chad.  

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings Donald and infants Clifford and Lydia, niece Pat and nephew Jim.  .  

Celebration of Robert’s life will be 2PM  Saturday November 10, 2018 at Elstad Lutheran Church rural Lanesboro MN.  With Visitation 12:30 to 2PM prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

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