Robert Dondlinger

Robert L. “Bob” Dondlinger, age 77, of Pepin, WI, died Saturday, July 25, 2015 at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Wabasha. He was born February 26, 1938 in Whitewater Township of Winona County, near Minneiska, the son of Leo and Agnes (Stroot) Dondlinger. He married Isabelle Wieczorek January 28, 1961 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Alma, WI. He served in the U. S. Army Reserve 544th in Wabasha for six years and was deployed to Fort Polk, LA during the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 1960’s. Bob worked 37 years as a boat operator for Peabody Coal, retiring in 1995. He also farmed in the Pepin area for many years, raising sweet corn and watermelons.
Bob was a member of St. Felix Catholic Church and the Wabasha American Legion Post #50. He enjoyed his farm work and he especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren in their sporting events.
He is survived by his wife, Belle Dondlinger, Pepin, WI; children, Robert Dondlinger, Jr., William Dondlinger and Lori Heit, all of Pepin, WI; five grandchildren, Brittany and Billy Dondlinger and Travis, Tasha and Trevor Heit; brothers, Jack (Mary) Dondlinger, Millville, MN, Don Dondlinger (Jean Springer), Millville, MN, Ken (Rita) Dondlinger, Kellogg, MN, James Dondlinger, Houston, TX, Dale (Judy) Donlinger, Rochester, MN; sisters, Char (Dick) Spurk, Cedar Rapids, IA, Kay (Lloyd) Blattner, Millville, MN; brothers-in-law, Paul Mahon, Springfield, IL, Joseph (Dolly) Wieczorek, Alma, WI; nieces and nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Agnes, brothers, Richard and Leo, Jr., sister, Shirley Mahon, parents-in-law, Chester and Cleo Wieczorek, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Larry and Shirley Wieczorek and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lois and Gene Lorenz.
A funeral Mass will be offered on Thursday, July 30m, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha with the Reverend Monsignor Thomas Cook officiating. Cremation of his body will follow the funeral Mass. Military rites will be performed by the Wabasha American Legion Post #50, the Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Post #4086 and the Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard. Interment will be at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery in Pepin. Family and friends may call at St. Felix Catholic Church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha is in charge of arrangements. www.abbottfh.com