Robert M. “Bob” Klebel, age, 68, formerly of Mankato, died Monday, September 29, 2008 at University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, after a courageous battle with leukemia.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 3, 2008 at SS. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church. Burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato, MN. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia Society.

Robert Martin Klebel was born July 16, 1940, in rural Mankato. He graduated from Mankato Loyola High School in June 1958 and married Barbara Ann Miller, on July 19, 1958. They celebrated fifty years of marriage this past July. The couple lived in Mankato, MN, Northglenn and Henderson, CO, and St. James, MN, where they raised their eight children. Most recently they lived in Aitkin, MN on Little Horseshoe Lake. Bob was a self-taught auto mechanic and worked until his retirement for various Ford Motor Company dealerships as a parts manager and co-owner. He also owned Bob’s Old Parts, an antique car parts business.

Bob’s main focus in life centered around his family. He never missed any special events involving his children or grandchildren. He loved restoring antique cars and was a member of the Country Road Classics Car Club in Aitkin. He was an avid fisherman, deer hunter, and birdwatcher, and rarely missed a garage sale or swap meet. He enjoyed tapping maple trees and making maple syrup. Bob was a kind, gentle and generous man who was always willing to help anyone who needed him. He will be greatly missed.

Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara; five daughters: Becky (Mike) Bjoraker of Rochester, Bonnie Klebel of Rochester, Barbara (Mark) Sculati of Golden Valley, Brenda Klebel of Rochester, and Bridget Klebel of Gaylord; three sons: Brad (Marcia) Klebel of Dodge Center, Bob (Letetia) Klebel of Mankato, and Ben (Julie) Klebel of Waconia; fourteen grandchildren: Sarah, Traci, Betsi, Brandon, Mitchell, Whitney, Katie, Anna, Amy, Jack, Ben, Kyle, Lucia, and Americo; two great-grandchildren: Alec and Axton; stepmother, Lucille Klebel of Mankato; three sisters: Ramona (Dale) Tjosvold, Frances Kneefe, and Kathy Engleby all of Mankato; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Margaret (Bruender) Klebel, and a sister, Rita (Warren) Quiram.