Aug. 20, 1915-April 9, 2006
Robert E. "Bob" Krenelka, 90, of Staples, Minn., passed away at the Lakewood Health Care Center on Sunday evening, April 9, 2006.
Robert was born to Alden A. and Ella (Christensen) Krenelka on Aug. 20, 1915 in Hitterdal, MN. He attended school at Hitterdal, graduating from high school in 1933. At the time of his graduation, the Depression was in full swing in the United States, and jobs were hard to come by, so he ended up taking odd jobs as they became available, mostly in the area of farm labor. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) around 1935, and remained with the Corps for about two years, part of that time being spent at what is now is Gooseberry State Park.
On leaving the Corps, Bob again returned to Hitterdal. The next couple of years were spent doing various types of work including farm labor, driving truck for a local hauler and working in a service station. In October 1940, he joined the National Guard in Moorhead. The Guard was federally inducted into the AUS in February 1941, and was moved to California, where the unit was stationed at the outbreak of World War II. Bob was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1943, and served in Europe with the 489th AAA Battalion, as a part of the 4th Armored Division, participating in the battles of Normandy, France, Belgium, Germany and the Battle of the Bulge.
Bob was separated from the service in 1946, but remained in the reserves until September 1953, when he was discharged.
ADVERTISEMENT
Upon his separation from service, Bob enrolled at North Dakota State University in Fargo, and graduated as a pharmacist in 1949. He worked in that capacity in Detroit Lakes and Brainerd, before taking over the management of the Rexall Drug Store in Staples, Minn. He later purchased the store from William Shelver. In 1968, he sold the store to Frank Gardner, and continued to work as a pharmacist at Staples Rexall and Longbella Drug for a number of years. He retired from his work as a pharmacist in 1991.
Bob was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, where he served for a time on the finance committee, and was instrumental in the forming of the church's trust fund, serving on the Trust Fund Committee for several years. He also was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and Masonic Lodge, and a past member of the Chamber of Commerce and Lions' Club of Staples. He especially enjoyed hunting, usually with his dog; fishing; and also played golf for many years. He was also a member of the Staples Cemetery Board.
Bob is survived by two brothers, Paul Krenelka of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and Gene Krenelka of Fargo; as well as several nieces and nephews. His parents, two brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.
There will be a visitation from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples, with a prayer service at 5 p.m. and a Masonic ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
A funeral service is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday April 13, at at Faith Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Stephen Sveom officiating. Burial will take place at the Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Hitterdal.
Brenny Funeral Home, Staples, is handling arrangements.
