Robert Derichs

Robert M. "Bob" Derichs, age 81 of Melrose, died after a short battle with cancer surrounded by his family on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at his home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 24 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating and Deacon Ernie Kociemba assisting. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Melrose Veterans Honor Guard will pray at 6 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Robert Mathias Derichs was born September 20, 1934 in Elrosa, Minnesota to John and Mary (Stang) Derichs. He grew up on the family farm in Elrosa. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1955 to 1957. He married Jeanette Wessel; she passed away in 1958. On January 19, 1960 he married Janice Fiedler at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union. Bob worked for Stearns Electric in Melrose for 37 years and was very proud to be a Class A Lineman for many of those years. He enjoyed going to the casino, playing cards, and his dogs, Peyton and Lacey. In his earlier years, he volunteered his time with the Melrose Civil Defense and the Melrose Ambulance.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose.

Survivors include his wife, Jan Derichs of Melrose; children, Glenna (Marv) Blau of Chandler, AZ, Cindy Gardner (fiancé, Jim Lambert) of Belgrade, Sandy Kleinfehn (fiancé, Mark Petermeier) of Melrose, Nancy (Dan) Pundsack of Melrose, and Jill Hubert (special friend, Dale Imdieke) of Meire Grove; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Rosie (Dennis) Rooney of Richmond and Dorothy (Ray) Kemper of Barnesville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Julia, Marion, Lorraine, and Agnes; and brothers, Harold, Ralph, Jerome, Gilbert, and Roman; son-in-law, Phillip Hubert; infant grandson, Adam Tomford; and great-granddaughter, Abigail Zander.

Serving as casket bearers will be Troy Tomford, Travis Tomford, Jeron Kleinfehn, Andy Kleinfehn, Alex Kleinfehn, Adam Pundsack, Trevor Derichs, and Dustin Derichs. Cross bearer will be Jim Lambert and scripture bearer will be Dale Imdieke. Gift bearers will be Melanie Kraker and Samantha Zander. Readers will be Bonnie Heinze and Troy Tomford. Honorary bearers will be Dan Pundsack, Mark Petermeier, Donnie Lenarz, Harry Kleinfehn, Scott Lenarz, Don Messerich, and Jim Messerich.