Robert E. Bantz

A gathering of friends and family for Robert E. Bantz, Sr., 79, of Gilbert will be 1-3 pm Sunday, June 8, 2014 at the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Inurnment will be in the Gilbert Cemetery. Robert died Friday, May 30, 2014 at Essentia Health – Virginia Care Center. Robert was born on January 30, 1935 to Orval Bryan and Mary Marguerite (Cerveny) Bantz in Plentywood, MT. His family moved to Mt. Iron and Virginia, MN. Robert graduated from Virginia High School, Class of 1954. Following high school, he entered the National Guards where he served for 26 years. On April 11, 1959 Robert was united in marriage to Patricia Kochevar in Gilbert. The couple made their home in Gilbert. Robert was employed by US Steel- Minntac retiring after 40 years of service as a painter. He was a member of the React Rangers CB Radio Club. Robert enjoyed building radio control model airplanes, and woodworking. He especially enjoyed their family vacations back to Plentywood, Montana to help his relatives with farming and weekends at his cabin at Long Lake in Makinen after his retirement. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Patricia; four children: Rosemary (Keith) Barry of Roseau, MN, Roberta (Tom) Parker of Pineville, MN, Robert Jr. (Denise) Bantz of Gilbert, and Roger Bantz of Plentywood, MT; Three siblings: Lois Fryckman of Santa Maria, CA, John Bantz of Arroyo Grande, CA, and Mary Bodas of Hibbing; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Orval and Mary Bantz; brother, Orval Jr. Bantz; sister, Loretta Bantz; a grandson, John Bantz.