Robert W. Stockdale

Robert Ward Stockdale was born September 8, 1925, to Charles and Lillian Stockdale in Preston, MN. He served in the United States Navy during World War II from 1943 - 1946. On October 8, 1947, Robert was united in marriage to Patricia "Patsy" Thomas. She preceded him in death June 10, 1966. Robert was employed as a forklift driver at Hormel. He married Fern Duenow November 14, 1998, in Glenville. Robert and his family enjoyed their cabin at French Lake, where he taught his kids to water ski. He also taught them to dance the polka and the two-step in the family room of their home, always followed by pizza. Robert enjoyed riding his bike, watching the Gaither Homecoming shows, playing golf in the later years, and watching westerns on his big-screen TV. He was a member of the American Legion and the Eagles and a lifelong member of the VFW in Austin. Survivors include his wife, Fern of Albert Lea; daughters, Kathy Robert VanRiper of Albert Lea and Debra Craig Prihoda, also of Albert Lea; son, Steven Stockdale of Las Vegas, NV; step daughter, Denise Ron Thurnau of Scarville, IA; step sons, Dennis Duenow of Springfield, MO, and Don Suzanne Duenow of Eagan; 6 grandchildren and 7 step grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and 3 step great-grandchildren; sisters, Genevieve Bob McNeff of Austin, Maxine Morrison of Northwood, IA, and June of Decorah, IA. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Patricia; his sisters, Hazel and Vivian; and his brothers, Chuck and one as a teenager.