Robert Van Heel

Robert A. "Bob" Van Heel, age 82 of Freeport, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at his home in Freeport, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 15 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Daniel Walz officiating. A family inurnment will be held at a later date. Military honors will be provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by Catholic United Financial and St. Joseph's Men's Society at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the church.

Robert Alphonse Van Heel was born January 1, 1936 in Freeport, Minnesota to Frank and Agnes (Notch) Van Heel. He graduated from Melrose High School and served in the U.S. Army from 1959 until his honorable discharge in 1963. On July 1, 1961 he was united in marriage to Janice Roering at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. Bob took over the family farm north of Freeport until 1990. He then worked at Famo Feeds until 1993.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport, Catholic United Financial, and St. Joseph's Men's Society. Bob enjoyed fishing up north with the boys, playing cards, having coffee with his buddies at Charlie's Café, traveling, going to the casino, and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Janice Van Heel of Freeport, children, Steven (Tina) Van Heel of St. Anna, Sandra (Duane) Haus of Waconia, Michael (Bonnie) Van Heel of Sartell, and Lois (Jamie) Nelson of St. Cloud; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Marion Huschle of Bagley, Lorraine Bierschbach of Melrose, Art (Dorothy) Van Heel of Freeport, Fran Van Heel of Roseville, Virg (Joann) Van Heel of Loveland, Colorado, and Bernice Roering of Albany.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Elmer Van Heel; and sisters, Leona Schloegl, Valeria Schrantz, and Louise Minnette.

Serving as casket bearers will be Alex Van Heel, Chris Haus, Ashley Haus, Brenden Nelson, Aaron Van Heel, and Sara Van Heel. Cross bearer will be Michala Van Heel and scripture bearer will be Megan Van Heel. Gift bearers will be Amber Ritter, Katie Van Heel, and Becca Van Heel and readers will be Katelyn Nelson and Mary Van Heel. Eucharistic ministers will be Bonnie Van Heel and Tina Van Heel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.