Robert Coulter

Robert Allen Coulter, age 95, of Pine River, died peacefully December 27, 2014 at the Senior Class Care Center at Pequot Lakes. He suffered a stroke on Christmas Eve just a few days before his death. He was born in South Dakota on July 5, 1919, to Clarence and Anna Eliza (Lent) Coulter. Times were tough in South Dakota during the depression for farming, so the family moved Pine River in 1934, leaving everything behind and moved in a horse driven wagon. Robert was 15 years of age.

Even under difficult circumstances, Robert graduated from Pine River High School in 1938 with high honors as Valedictorian. To further his education he attended Northwestern Bible College in St. Paul in 1939. Robert met the love of his life, Dorris L. Arvig, in 1940, and they were married December 20, 1941 in Pequot Lakes.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and spent over three years away from home fighting in World War II. Robert traveled over 100,000 miles on his ship traveling around the world and spending much of his time in the Philippine area fighting the enemy, dodging the torpedoes and typhoons in the Philippine Sea area.

After the war Robert started his career with Arvig Telephone Company while farming on the side. After many years of hard work setting and climbing poles, he became the manager of the north end of the Arvig Exchanges. He spent almost 50 years of his life dedicated to helping improve the telephone industry. He retired from the Arvig telephone company at the age of 70.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Anna; daughter, Rosella Johnson; two sisters and three brothers.

Robert is survived by his wife of 73 years, Dorris; three children: Marlene (Bub) Moser of Pequot Lakes, Larry Coulter of Pequot Lakes and Donovan (JoAnn) Coulter of Pine River; eight grandchildren: Blake Anderson, Carlene (Dave) Anderson, Kevin (Lee) Coulter, Angela (Kevin) Kruchten, Misty (Todd) Ringler, Mindy (Joseph) Glazier, Vonda (Dale) Yngsdal, Marsha (John) Meed; thirteen great grandchildren: Brendin Anderson, Gracie Kruchten, Hailey and Dawson Ringler, Landon and Brekkin Glazier, Cody and Ashley Yngsdal, Mitchell and Natasha and Trevor and Alyssa and Karina Meed.

Robert was a very dedicated Christian man and focused on his Christian life, while working hard to raise and support his family. So much so, that he read the Bible in its entirety three times.

Robert and Dorris spent almost their entire life in Pine River. Robert was very active in his church (The Riverview Tabernacle) and served on the board of directors. Robert and Dorris kept very busy raising their four children. They sold their residence in 2009 and moved to the Villas in Pine River and lived there for five years before moving to the Senior Class Care Center in Pequot Lakes where Dorris still resides today.

Services will be 2 PM on Monday, December 29, at Riverview Church, Pine River. The graveside service will follow at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Pine River. Military honors will be accorded by the Pine River Legion Color Guard. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.