New Ulm

Robert "Bob" Benjamin Holm of New Ulm, formerly of the Klossner area, died Sunday morning, May 6, 2012 from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) after a short stay at Oak Hills Living Center Hospice.


Bob was born Feb 27, 1937 in New Ulm to Erwin and Gladys (Manderfeld) Holm. Bob attended schools in New Ulm and joined the United States Navy in 1955. He served aboard the USS Wisconsin and USS Roanoke throughout the Pacific, crossing the equator at least twice and was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1958.


Bob soon married Carol Wager on Oct 18, 1958. They began farming in 1967 near Klossner and raised two children, Dan and Shelley. In addition to farming, Bob worked for Kraft Foods in New Ulm for 32 years as a maintenance mechanic. Bob and Carol farmed until 2011 when they moved to New Ulm.


Bob loved spending time with his 3 grandchildren, friends, and family. He enjoyed traveling, cards, bowling, and reading. Bob was a member of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Catholic Order of Foresters, the Knights of Columbus, and the Disabled American Veterans.


He is survived by his wife Carol, children Daniel M. (Olivia) now residing in Ladera Ranch, CA, and Shelley Storgaard now residing in St. Ansgar, IA, grandchildren Victoria and Caroline Holm of Ladera Ranch, CA and Jaz Storgaard of St. Ansgar, IA, sister Kathy and Richard Drexler of New Ulm, brother in law Wally Mertensotto of Crosslake, MN, sister in law Donna Holm of New Ulm, sister in law Delores Klement of Gibbon, sister in law Lane Osheeran of Tucson, AZ, along with many loving nieces and nephews and a large assortment of wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Erwin and Gladys, sister Rita Mertensotto and brother James Holm.


Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday and 7:30-9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm. The Catholic Order of Foresters and Knights of Columbus will pray the rosary at 6:30 and there will be a parish prayer serivce at 7:30 at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetary including full military rites by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard. Reception will follow at Leifeld Hall.


Bob faced the devastating illness of ALS with courage and grace and his easy going sense of humor. He and his family will be forever grateful for the loving support of all his and Carol's cherished friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to Oak Hills Center, the ALS association, or the DAV association. Rest in peace Bob, you were a special man.