Robert Kleven

Robert "Bob" "Robbie" \"Rabbit" Kleven, of Alexandria and formerly of Sauk Centre, age 61 years and 9 months died peacefully, with his family at his side on Monday, October 1, 2018 at Our Lady of Peace Home in Saint Paul, Minnesota following a hard-fought fight with multiple myeloma.

A funeral service will be held at 11a.m. Monday, October 8th at First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Don Reisig officiating.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre. A time of sharing will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at the very beginning of the visitation.

Robert Gordon Kleven was born January 1, 1957, "the Swift County New Year's Baby" in Benson, Minnesota, son of Gordon Odell and Arlene Avis (Childs) Kleven and was baptized in Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church in Benson. In 1959, his family moved to a home on Lake Minnewaska and he attended elementary school in Glenwood. In 1969, Bob, along with his parents, moved to Sauk Centre where his parents had purchased the Starlite Motel, now the Gopher Prairie Motel. Bob was confirmed at First Lutheran Church and graduated from Sauk Centre High School in 1975. Following graduation, his early jobs included well drilling and Culligan Water. On September 11, 1982, Bob was united in marriage to Rhonda Steinberg in First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre. To his marriage, a son, Paul was born. Bob worked for Sauk Centre Jobbing for 19 years, before finding the profession that he was a natural at; a greeting card salesman and regional manager, first at Twin City Greeting, followed by Cards N Such for the past 19 years. On June 30, 2001, Bob married Margie Hanson and they made their home in Alexandria, Minnesota.

Bob had many hobbies which included playing in pool leagues for years, Rock-n-Roll concerts - the last being Jethro Tull on August 31, 2018 who he had waited 42 years to see. He collected baseball cards, and was an avid sports fan, especially the MN Vikings!!! Bob's love for dogs started with his first dog, Mitzi as a young boy right up to his present dog, Shelby. One of Robbie's fondest memories was going up to Hill City Minnesota to his grandparents and having chocolates malts with grandpa! He continued to look forward to all family gatherings throughout his life.

Bob had a huge heart, lived life to the fullest. He had an amazing gift of talking to anyone about anything. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Bob will be deeply missed by his son, Paul Kleven (Lisa Lindman); sister, Geraldine (Ron) Johnson; grandchildren, Kyle Kleven, Damion Silber, Dylan Kleven, Connor Kleven, and McKenzie Kleven; his significant other, Cynthia Whiting; nieces and nephews, Tony (Missy) Johnson, Brenda (Joan Potter) Johnson, Darrin (Diana) Johnson, and Dawn (Mick Maxon) Johnson; six great nieces and nephews; uncles, Emery Kleven and Dick Kleven; aunts, Doris Lee and Donna Tix; other relatives and many friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Margie Kleven February 25, 2015; parents; Gordon and Arlene Kleven and four infant siblings.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me,
but also to all who have longed for his appearing. - 2 Timothy 4:7-8