Robert "Bob" M. Grendahl

The memorial service celebrating the life of Robert “Bob” Grendahl of Wadena, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena with Pastor Nate Loer presiding. Visitation will be held at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena on Friday, August 9, from 5:00 until 7:00p.m. and will resume at the church on Saturday from 9:30a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be at the Wadena Cemetery Wadena, MN. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bob's service is being live-streamed via the Immanuel Lutheran Church's Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/immanuelwadena ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bob, age 82, passed away on Monday, July 22, 2024 at his home surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. Bob was born on April 7, 1942 to Melvin and Mary (Dvorak) Grendahl in Rochester, MN. Bob was raised in Wanamingo, MN and graduated from Wanamingo High School in 1960. He later attended Rochester Junior College and Brown Institute in Minneapolis. Bob met Donna Runger in 1962 in Minneapolis and they were united in marriage on February 15, 1964 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Bob worked as an Electronics Specialist for Northwest Airlines and they built their first home in Burnsville. In 1967 their daughter, Rene’, was born. In 1968 they briefly moved to Thief River Falls and then to Warren, MN, where Bob began employment with Tenneco Inc., as an Electronics Specialist. In 1970, Bob was transferred to the Division Office in Wadena. In 1971, their son, Robby, was born. Bob remained with Tenneco until his retirement in 2006. Shortly after moving to Wadena, Bob quickly became active in the community, serving as a Boy Scout leader and an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he served on various committees as well as church council President, Sunday school teacher, and confirmation mentor. Bob was an original founder of the Wadena Hockey Association, active coach at every level, referee, hockey board member, honorary life member of Wadena Hockey Association, and assistant coach of the first Wadena High School varsity hockey team. Recently, Bob was honored to be inducted into the Herb Brooks Youth Hockey Hall of Fame. After his retirement Bob stayed active in the community as a volunteer at the Wadena Depot and member of the Depot board as well as the Wadena Zoning & Planning Department. Bob enjoyed spending time with his four grandchildren. He attended and supported all of their activities and events. Bob had many hobbies and interests throughout his life. Bob loved spending time in the outdoors. He enjoyed many hunting and fishing adventures throughout the United States and Canada and tending to all the needs at the Deer Camp with a keen interest in conservation and land stewardship. Bob also loved watching sports of all kinds, The Kentucky Derby and The Stanley Cup Playoffs were household favorites. Bob enjoyed creating, building, and could fix most anything. He made sure that the neighbors were plowed out after a snowstorm, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was also very up to date with his technology, wearing his Apple watch on his last day here on Earth. Summing up Bob’s 82 years of life and energy in a few paragraphs is difficult. Without a doubt, his most important contribution was his positive legacy of service. Bob lived his life with a spirit of putting others before self. His memorable smile, that he shared generously, will be greatly missed. His life was a life well lived. Bob is survived by his wife Donna, daughter Rene’ (Grendahl) Lindbo, son Robby (Lori) Grendahl, grandchildren Matthew and Thomas Lindbo, Ryan (fiancée Hannah), and Mari. brothers Marvin and Darryl (Patty) Grendahl, brother-in law Ron (Lara) Runger and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Bob in death were his parents Melvin and Mary (Dvorak) Grendahl, brothers Carl and Richard, and in-laws Larry and Doris (Olson) Runger.