Donald J. Roblek

Funeral Mass for Donald Joseph Roblek, 89, of Virginia, formerly of Aurora, will be 10 am Saturday, March 21, 2015 at St. John’s Catholic Church Biwabik with Fr. Ronald Gagne Celebrating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Aurora. Military honors accorded by the Aurora/Hoyt Lakes Color Guard. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Donald died peacefully with his loving wife at his side on March 17, 2015 at the Palliative Care Unit at Essentia Health – St. Mary’s in Duluth. He was born on March 6, 1926 to John and Helen (Levstek) Roblek in Biwabik. He graduated from the Aurora High School, at the age of 17, Class of 1944. Following school, Donald enlisted in the US Navy, and attended basic training in Farragut, Idaho. He served on USS Sanctuary Hospital Ship in the Pacific during WWII. Donald married the love of his life, Ruth Olson, on June 25, 1949, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Aurora. The couple made their home in Aurora and lived there until 2008 when they moved to the Washington Manor in Virginia. Donald was employed by Minnesota Power until his retirement in 1985. He was also an Aurora Volunteer Fireman until retiring from the force in 1976. Donald was an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoyed the deer hunting camp at Sabin Lake with his friends. Summers were wonderful at their cabin on Basset Lake. Donald and Ruth enjoyed traveling, particularly spending fourteen winters in Clearwater, FL. Donald was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the All Slav Club, and the Aurora American Legion Post #241. Donald will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. The greatest achievement in his life was his family. Survivors include his wife of 65 years: Ruth; four daughters: Linda (Ed) Borchardt of Lake Vermilion, Bonnie (Dave) LaZella of Grand Rapids, Debby (Frank) Beloy of Aurora, and Kathy (Tim) Beane of Burnsville; ten grandchildren: Heather and Kate Borchardt, Dr. Andrew (Melissa) LaZella, Michael LaZella, Kevin (Jenny) Beloy, Andrea (Brandon Karter) Beloy, Curtis Beloy, Dr. Kyle (Vickie) Beloy, and Alex and Jesse Beane; two great-granddaughters: Julia and Isla Beloy and one great-grandson: Cameron Beloy; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Roblek; two brothers, John and Henry Roblek; and three sisters, Mary McLaughlin, Harriet Novak, and Sophie Schintz.