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Robert "Bob" G. Appleby, age 86 of Center City, MN.

Bob passed away Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.

Bob was born July 20, 1923 in Siren Wisconsin the son of Charles and Rose (Ludewise) Appleby.

On September 12, 1947 Bob was united in marriage to Ruth Nelson at the Chisago Lake Lutheran Parsonage in Center City, MN.

Bob grew up on a farm on North Lindstrom Lake. He served in the US Navy in the Pacific in World War II (1943-1946). Bob worked for Northern States Power Co. (now Xcel Energy) for 35 years. He helped with the formation of little league baseball in Center City in late 1950s. Bob gave his time to the community delivering Meals on Wheels in the Chisago Lakes area for many years. Bob spent as much time as he could fishing on local lakes and enjoying the outdoors. He was prolific with a chain saw and loved to cut wood. Bob volunteered his time and energy working to help maintain Chisago Lake Lutheran Cemetery. He was a regular at the local breakfast scene and loved reminiscing with friends about the old days.

Bob is survived by his loving family: wife of 62 years Ruth of Center City, MN, children Jerry (Marilyn) Appleby of Austin, TX, Carol (George) Dady of Ham Lake, MN, and Darlene (Clayton) Peltier of Chisago City, MN; grandchildren Darren (Heather), Deanna (Brad), Jeff, Angie (Derrik), Aaron and Matt; great-grandchildren Isaac, Regan, Luke, Hallie, Evan, Paige and Madden; brother Richard (Alice) Appleby, sister Viola (Ludwig) Menkal; sister-in-law Maxine Appleby and brother-in-law Bob Bradley and numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Rose Appleby, infant daughter, brother Charles T. Appleby, sister Myrtle Bradley, brother-in-law Rudy Nelson, brother-in-law Chester Nelson, brother-in-law Eldor Nelson and sister-in-law Ethelyn Lundholm.

Casket Bearers were Darren Appleby, Heather Appleby, Jeff Dady, Derrik Peterson, Angie Peterson, Aaron Peltier, Matt Peltier.

Honorary Pallbearers: Brad and Deanna Mauritzen.

Funeral service was Monday, Dec. 28 at Chisago Lake Lutheran Church in Center City with Rev. Craig Lundstad-Vogt officiating. Interment at the Hillside Cemetery in Center City.

Arrangements have been handled by the Grandstrand Funeral Home of Lindstrom. www.grand strandfh.com.

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