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Obituary for Robert J. Cheeney
Robert Joseph Cheeney, 78, of St. Croix Falls, WI, formerly of North Branch, MN, died Dec. 31, 2012, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Robert was born Feb. 22, 1934, in Bottineau, North Dakota, to Wilfred and Philomene Theresa (Guimond) Cheeney, the third of seven children.
He was raised on the wind-swept plains of North Dakota, attended country school in Bottineau County, transported by a horse-drawn cart handmade by his father. He moved with his family by car and train to Minnesota in their great adventure of 1948! Bob graduated from North Branch High School in 1952. He joined the Navy and got his basic training at Great Lakes.
He met Catherine (Katie) Favorite and they married in the summer of 1956. They were stationed at several bases including San Diego, Oceana, VA, and Sicily. They were the proud parents of four sons, Rory born in 1957, Robert in 1959, Robin in 1960 and Randy in 1961. While serving in the Navy, he worked in Air Traffic Control, it was his second favorite job, the first was being a dad. Other employment included exterminator, factory worker, chef, mess cook in the National Guard, tree trimmer - working with his father several years in the North Branch area, and the non-salaried job of full-time tease and general agitator. Everyone he cared for was the recipient of his teasing … all done with a twinkle in his blue eyes and a smile on his lips.
In San Diego, he married Hazel Steinsick, and with her children, Frank, Rodney and Tina, they moved to Minnesota and shared life together. Later he married Judy Gustafson, and they and her children, Chris, Jeff, Valerie, Chad and Angela and grandchildren became a big part of his life. He missed them when he was no longer involved in their lives.
He was a long-time member of St. Gregory’s Church in North Branch and later St. Joseph’s Church in Taylors Falls, MN. He belonged to the Forest Lake chapter of the Knights of Columbus.
Bob loved fishing, playing pool, hunting, fishing, outdoors, birds, novels by Louis L’Amour, everything Naval and nature, Catholic Christian faith, his sons, grandchildren and ice fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, August of Ely, MN.
He is survived by sons, Rory of Utah, Robert of Washington, Robin and Randy and grandsons of California; and siblings, David (Virginia) of Tennessee, Rose Harris of Florida, Lorna Schad of Minnesota, Wil of Arizona and Elaine (Jerry) Boucher of Wisconsin; many nieces, especially Amy, Mary Colette, Marie and Jacquie; nephews, cousins and friends. He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. “Much loved ornery old fart!"
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 at 11 a.m., with visitation at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Taylors Falls, MN (409 Bench Street, Taylors Falls, MN 55084). Private interment. Memorials are preferred to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250 or Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, 102 E. Crex Ave., Grantsburg, WI 54840, or donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.rowefh.com or www.wicremationcenter.com. Please continue to check these websites for updated information or call Bruce Rowe at 715-472-2444.
Rowe Funeral Home of Luck and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown have been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
