Robert Alvin Mensing

Robert Mensing, 88, a lifelong resident of Rochester area, died Sunday, April 28, 2013, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester where he spent the past week in hospice care. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, in Rochester, with the Rev. Fred Rengstorf officiating. Burial will be held in Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery in Spring Valley. Military honors will be provided by the Spring Valley V.F.W. A visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes in Rochester, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Robert was born June 10, 1924, at the family farm outside of Pine Island. He was the second son of Arthur and Bertha Mensing, and farmed with his family during his youth. He graduated from Pine Island High School in 1941. Robert met Darleen Freeman of Spring Valley while roller skating in Kasson. They were united in marriage on June 1, 1947, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Rochester. The couple made their home in Rochester for 67 years, and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 1, 2012. Very soon after their engagement, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army for service during World War II, and served in the French and German theaters. Following World War II, he returned to the Rochester area to raise his family. He was employed in the construction industry, including employment with the Rundell and Kruse Lumber Companies. In 1950, he was recalled to service in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was injured during exercises and honorably discharged. Robert was honored for his service by participating in the Honors Flight to Washington, D.C., for World War II veterans in 2012 and was very proud to accompany other veterans on this journey. Following his last tour of duty, he returned to Rochester where he was employed for 34 years by Weis Builders and Alexander Construction. He was also a policeman for a brief time for the City of Rochester. He again returned to his favorite career; that of building homes in Rochester, until he suffered a career-ending injury. Robert then decided to pursue his passion for building things by attending Rochester Community College and Mankato State College in architectural drafting. He worked in drafting with Weichselbaum Architects and later as a building inspector for CMS. His retirement was very gradual and included working part-time for the State of Minnesota as a rest stop attendant on Interstate 90 near Eyota for several years. He also helped his children with building projects of all kinds in the Rochester area. In retirement he also enjoyed camping, square dancing, gardening, playing with his grandchildren and his dogs. He is survived by his wife, Darleen; four children, Linda (James) Triplett of Amherst, Mass., Gareth (Sharon) Mensing of Colorado Springs, Colo., Candace Mensing of Rochester, and Wendy (Wayne) Mehrkens of St. Charles; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Leona (Bob) Anderson of Kiester, and Evelyn Egland of Albert Lea; and one sister-in-law, Erma Mensing of the Pine Island area. He was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Mensing and his brother-in-law, Milford Egland. Memorials are preferred to Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Rochester, or the family. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place N.W., Rochester, MN55901. 507-289-3600 ranfranzandvinefh.com