Robert Koland
Robert John Koland, 73, of Motley, died May 7, 2024 at the Lakewood Hospital, Staples with his wife, Maria and family at his side. Cancer and heart disease took his life too soon.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 7 at the Halvorson-Taylor Life Events Center in Brainerd. Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 7 at the Halvorson-Taylor Life Events Center in Brainerd.
Burial will take place in the Wildwood Cemetery in Pillager at a later date.
Robert “Bob” Koland was born October 11, 1950, to Arthur and Nancy (Reed) Koland in Mora. Bob lived in Sandstone. In 1958 the family relocated to the Brainerd/Pillager area. Bob attended Pillager Schools from third grade until he graduated from Pillager High School with the Class of 1968. Bob was very active and enjoyed playing many sports. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army on October 1968. Bob served his country in the Vietnam War earning an honorable discharge. He began trucking in 1972 as an owner/operator. His travels included hauling over the road, hauling grain and logs. Bob was united in marriage to the love of his life, Maria Alice O’Bannon on September 15, 1979, in Brainerd. He was a knowledgeable mechanic, repairing his own trucks as well as helping many others repair their cars, trucks and semis. His mechanical abilities later led him to purchase Motley Auto Repair in January 2010, retiring in 2021 after he received a cancer diagnosis. In 1995, Bob, with the help of his family, built a home west of Motley, which included a large shop for his semis and a garage for his wife. He will forever be remembered by his family and many friends for his great sense of humor, his life stories, his smile and always wearing his trademark, the old military hat. Bob was a long-time member of the American Legion and Life Member of the VFW.
Bob is survived by his wife of 43 years, Maria (O’Bannon ) Koland of Motley; one brother, James Koland; three sisters, Kitty Peterson, Linda Haider and Tone (Tim) O’Bannon; many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Dennis Koland; one sister-in-law, Sylvia Koland and one brother-in-law, Bob Peterson.
Caring for Robert and his family is the Halvorson-Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd.
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