Robert Mahling

Robert J. Mahling, 88, of Randall, died Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at Highland Senior Living in Little Falls, Minnesota. Services for Robert will be at 11:30 AM, Saturday, April 2, 2011 at St. James Catholic Church in Randall. There will be a visitation Friday, April 1 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Randall. Interment will follow services at St. James Catholic Cemetery.

Robert James Mahling was born in Randall, Minnesota on January 10, 1923 the son of Albert H. and Margaret (Treacy) Mahling. He attended District 128 in Parker Township and graduated from Little Falls High School in 1941, then Minneapolis Business College in 1947.On February 15,1947, he married Marilyn Gosch. Both were lifelong residents of Randall. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and served in the 344th Bomb Group for three and one half years. In 1950, he was deployed to France during the KoreanWar. He worked at Camp Ripley for 32 years as a Finance Specialist and Field Auditor, retiring in 1981. He also served as a member of the Minnesota National Guard for 30 years.

Bob was a member of the Randall PTA, Big Lake Sportsman's Club, Morrison County Historical Society, and the former Randall Commercial Club. He was a life member and past commander of VFW Post 9073 and a 30 year member of the Randall Fire Department. He was a lifelong member of St. James Parish, where he served as a council member, lector, usher, and Chairman of the Cemetery for over 30 years. He and his wife Marilyn charted St. James and two other cemeteries for the Morrison County Historical Society.

He enjoyed outdoor activities including agate hunting, gardening, fishing, hunting, golf, and time at the cabin. At home he enjoyed cooking, grilling, reading, and watching sports on TV. With his wife Marilyn he traveled to many countries, visited most of the United States, and vacationed during the winter in Florida for over 20 years. Together, Bob and Marilyn enjoyed auction sales, genealogy research, and publishing family history books. They also enjoyed time together visiting and entertaining family and friends.

Bob is survived by his sons Michael (Laurie) Mahling of Pierz and Robert M. (Claire) Mahling of Cushing; daughters, Marilyn Mahling of Little Falls, Joanna (Brad) Koenen of Hutchinson, and Elizabeth (Leonard) Wheeler of Brainerd, seven grandchildren, Gerhardt (Ping Chen) Mahling, Paul Mahling, Stefan Mahling, Reba Koenen, and Amanda, Katherine, and Daniel Wheeler; two great grandchildren, Claire Chen Mahling, and Ayden Wheeler; one sister, Mary (Don) Webb of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and one brother Albert (Jean) Mahling of Little Falls, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Marilyn (Mickey), his parents, and siblings Ellen Hegg, Florence King, William Mahling, and John Mahling.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Randall.