Robert Brunstad

VISITATION:

4 - 7 p.m., Friday, October 12 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 201 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls

and from 10 - 11 a.m., Saturday, October 13 also at the church

SERVICE:

11 a.m., Saturday, October 13 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 201 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls

Robert J. "Bob" Brunstad, 86, of Chippewa Falls, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, October 10, 2012 surrounded by his family at Colfax Health & Rehabilitation Center while under the care of St. Joseph's Hospice.

He was born April 1, 1926, in Chippewa Falls, to Joyce (Kelly) and G. Robert Brunstad. He attended Bartlett Grade School in the town of Eagle Point. He graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior High School in 1944. Bob farmed in the town of Eagle Point and helped operate Brunstad's Dairy.

Bob married Yvonne Vincent on May 8, 1948, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls where he was a life-long member. They moved to Bemidji, Minn. where he was employed at J.C. Penney and later went to Portage where he worked at Portage Hardware Store before moving home to Chippewa Falls in 1955. He was employed by Chippewa Plastics and later Applied Research, which became Amoco Chemical. Bob was transferred to Fullerton, Calif., where he was co-manager at the Amoco facility. He and his family returned to Chippewa Falls in 1967, where he continued with Amoco, retiring in 1988. During retirement, Bob enjoyed driving the CESA 10 van.

Quiet times in his woods behind the family farm, his little cabin, chopping wood and watching wildlife were Bob's favorite activities. He played tennis in the Over 33 Men's League and enjoyed canoeing with the Flambeau Flockers, sailing, and Sunday drives. Bob was a caring family man and good neighbor. If snow needed to be shoveled, a windshield scraped, or a load of wood delivered, Bob was there lending a hand.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Yvonne; a daughter, Ellen (Dale) Yindra of Chippewa Falls; two sons, William (Mary) Brunstad of Chippewa Falls; Thomas (Gina Zappa) Brunstad of Mahtomedi, Minn.; six grandchildren, Heather (Adam) Rogge, Zachary Brunstad, Lauren (Kevin) Brunstad Monks, Leslie (Nick) Bauer, Anthony (Peyton) Brunstad, Vincent Brunstad; five great-grandchildren, Evan, Seth and Ashton Rogge, Fiona Monks and Beau Bauer; and two brothers, Dean (Betty) Brunstad of Merlin, Oregon and Loyd (Fern) Brunstad of Chippewa Falls.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Glen Brunstad.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 13 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 201 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls with the Rev. Terri Koca officiating.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, Chippewa Falls and one hour prior to the service Saturday, also at the church.

Memorials in Bob's honor may be designated to St. Joseph's Hospice, the Alzheimer's Association, or to Trinity United Methodist Church.