Robert "Bob" Wensman

Robert H. “Bob” Wensman, age 93 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at Cura Care Center in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. 

A Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on February 1, 2025, at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 am. Inurnment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Sauk Centre with military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard. A Celebration of Life will follow at the American Legion in Sauk Centre. 

Robert Herman Wensman was born February 13, 1931 in Freeport, MN, to Anton and Rose (Bueckers) Wensman. Bob graduated from Belgrade High School in 1950. Following graduation, he attended a printing course at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis. From January 1951 through October 1953, Bob served in the Army, spending 11 months in Korea. He was united in marriage to Shirley Donner on October 17, 1953, at the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Belgrade, MN. Bob worked as a St. Cloud State Linotype Oper-Printer at the Melrose Beacon in Melrose, MN, from October 1953 to January 1955. Bob and Shirley moved to Sauk Centre in 1955. Bob continued his military service of 40 years, serving as a member of the Minnesota National Guard. He retired at the level of Command Sargeant Major. In 2000 Bob was inducted in the Court of Military Honor at Camp Ripley. 

Bob was involved in many organizations in the community. He was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church and served as president of the parish finance committee. He was a member of the Sauk Centre Fire Department for 23 years, serving as fire chief for 3 of those years. Bob served on the Sauk Centre City Council for 6 years and 7 years as Sauk Centre mayor. Bob served on the Sauk Centre School board for 9 years. He served 4 years as a Stearns County Commissioner. Bob spent 20 years as the local Civil Defense Director. Bob honored fellow Veterans by serving as a member of the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard. He was a member and past president of the Sauk Centre Lions Club. Bob served on the Minnesota Correctional Facility - Home School Advance Committee. And, in his retirement Bob drove school bus for 14 years for the Sauk Centre Public Schools. 

Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a member of Ducks Unlimited. He was the founder of the Snow Cleats snow mobile club. He was a fantastic gardener and enjoyed golfing, bowling, and playing cards.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Wensman; children, Debra K. (Steven Schmidgall) Wensman, Steve (Gretchen) Wensman, and Tamara (David) Marthaler; 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Linus Wensman, Carol (David) Mott, Lois (Mike) DesParte, and Cynthia; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Wensman and Pat Wensman.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Melvin, Ado, and Dennis; sister, Arlene; and sisters-in-law, Marcy Wensman and Mary Lou Wensman. 

A special thank you to all the wonderful people who helped care for Bob and supported his family. 

Memorials to the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard, Fairway Pines Senior Living Center, and "Family Wishes" are preferred.