Robert "Bob" Bell

Robert Stephen Bell...

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Robert "Bob" Stephen Bell, age 81, who tragically lost his life in a motor vehicle collision on November 14th 2024. 

Robert was born on February 26, 1943, to Samona (Sodemann) and Ory Bell in Luverne Minnesota, joining his four older sisters, Jean Reynolds, Joan Arfmann, Patricia Butzman, and Dorothy Fideler. He attended grade school in Luverne until his father's death at which point his mother moved to Jasper, Minnesota and purchased Windy Rae's Cafe. This is where he developed his lifelong love of cooking. 

After moving to Jasper, he attended school until he entered the United States Army on December 13, 1960. He served his country bravely. He was stationed in Alaska and then completed three tours in Vietnam as well as being deployed to Germany. He was Honorably discharged on June 19, 1972. 

Upon his discharge from the Army he returned home where he met the future Mrs. Maureen (Brandt) Bell in Ihlen, Minnesota. They were married on July 7, 1973. They welcomed their daughter, Kimberly in 1979.

He joined the Army National Guard in 1977 and worked as a unit administrator for the Luverne guard unit through 1983. He worked at various jobs before deciding to become a long distance truck driver, eventually buying his own tractor and becoming an independent owner operator. He had many stories to tell about his adventures driving truck, and could tell you the exit number of any good truckstop. He enjoyed this work until he retired in 2005.

He became a grandfather in 2004 when his granddaughter, Anya was born, and again in 2007 when his grandson, Alex arrived. He embraced being a grandfather, unless you asked him to give one of the grand-babies a bottle. He loved to have fun with his grandkids and could often be found having Nerf gun battles or pillow fights with the kids. He enjoyed giving them rides in his Army jeep, allowing them to throw candy during parades. 

He took full advantage of his retirement with twice a day coffee sessions at the mini mall. He made friends wherever he went and always had a joke to share, although most of them were not suitable to be repeated in front of children. He never met a card game he didn't like, and it took a lot to outbid him as he could bluff his way through any game. He became a savior for the house plants that Maureen would often try to kill. He said he could often hear the plants whispering to him, "Bobby, give me water". Teasing his wife was one of his lifelong favorite activities. He loved to go to auctions, collecting "treasures". His family will remember his auction days fondly over the coming years as we dig out the two garages full of these "treasures". He supported Maureen tirelessly through her cancer surgery and following treatments. They spent a lot of time watching Twins games and swinging in the backyard during this time. In his later years some of his favorite activities included sitting in the backyard on his swing, watching his grand dog, Nala chase squirrels. 

He battled bladder cancer for many years , and was undergoing treatment at the time of his death. He received most of his medical care through the VA. He had nothing but praise for the nurses and other members of his care team. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his four sisters. He is survived by his wife, Maureen; daughter, Kimberly (Jeremy); granddaughter, Anya; and grandson, Alex; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. 

In lieu of gifts, please consider donating to a cause supporting veterans in Robert's name. 

"OORAH"