Robert Cheney
Robert Cheney, 77, of Motley, passed away February 11, 2023.
Funeral services were held February 21 at the Motley Free Methodist Church in Motley.
Burial was held at St. Isidore’s Catholic Cemetery in Moran Township.
Robert Lee Cheney was born October 5, 1945, one of four children of Grant and Mary (Covert) Cheney in Minneapolis. As most know him, Bob grew up in the country helping to raise various animals on the farm. He was active in the 4-H and FFA. His family remembers when he showed his big hog at the state fair, with everyone stopping to admire its grandeur. By the age of 13, Bob mastered the gears of a semi and started hauling for his dad. Bob graduated from high school in 1964, enlisted in the US Army, serving our country during the Vietnam Era. When Bob returned from war, he worked maintenance for the city of Minnetonka, obtained his CDL to officially start driving for his dad, Cheney’s Inc., drove for Roadway Global and completed his career with 24 years at Morey’s, retiring in 2016 at the age of 70. During his driving career, he took time off to go to auctioneer school. He worked for the New York Mills car auction for three years while still driving for Morey’s. He had found his new love for all auctions during this process and rarely missed a weekly auction and has a farm full of treasures to show.
While stationed in Colorado, you could find Bob on his weekends off bucking broncs at a dude ranch. Bob was married in his younger years, and although the marriage did not last, he became a father to four amazing children, Robert, Jr., Brad, Ben and Kristine. Bob was a fan of all holidays, Halloween being his favorite to decorate for the children. He worked tirelessly on his bountiful garden, flower gardens and flower beds. Watching NASCAR got his heart revving with excitement.
One night while out with friends at his parent’s former bar the Ten-Hi in Motley, Bob helped save a young lady, by asking her to dance. He found his dancing partner for life that night. Bob and Marge Tepley were united in marriage on July 10, 1999, at the St, Isidore’s Catholic Church. The couple made their own “funny farm” in rural Motley. Their Scottish Highland cattle, sheep, draft horses, dogs, you name it, they were welcome. The couple enjoyed their labor of love. In the evenings if they were’nt out dancing, they would settle up to a table of puzzle pieces. For 24 years, their weekends in the summers were filled with CT Pedal Pulls, making it happen all around the state for various fairs and community events. On February 17, 2020, Bob broke his back while cutting trees. His life drastically changed from that day forward. He slowly regained his abilities with the help of nursing aides and Marge taking care of him.
He leaves behind his loving wife, Marge; children, Brad (Danielle) Cheney, Ben Cheney, Kristine (Chad) Bohl; daughter-in-law, Veronique Cheney; eight grandchildren; three siblings, Judy (Skip) Lisle, Les (Trish) Cheney and Jeff Cheney; in-laws, Rick (Dawn) Adamietz, Jan (Tim) Shea, Rita (Tom) Esterl, Bonnie (Donn) Milbrandt, Carol (Ron Peterson) Adamietz, Ron (Michelle) Adamietz, Cathie Prescott Adamietz; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends he met along the way. He is joined in heaven with his son, Robert “Bobby” Jr.; parents and brother-in-law, Jim Adamietz.
Pray for the people who struggle with mental illness and the surviving families of suicide. If you’re having suicidal thoughts or ideas, you can call the suicide hotline, 988.
Arrangements were by the Iten Funeral Home of Browerville.
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