Robert "Bob" Derby, Sr., 88, passed away Nov. 13, 2007, at Tri-County Hospital in Wadena.
He was born April 21, 1919 in Wadena, to Theodore and Lena (Cole) Derby. He married Marian Lorentz on Feb. 17, 1946, at St. Ann's Rectory. He was a life-long member of the community and was a board member of the Wadena Co-op. In 2006, he and Marian were honored as Senior Citizen King and Queen. He was a farmer and enjoyed collecting windmills, toys and trains.
The funeral mass was held Friday, Nov. 16, at St. Frederick's Catholic Church in Verndale, with the Rev. Michael Kellogg as celebrant. Honorary pallbearers were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Active pallbearers were Corey Derby, Troy Derby, Kyle Arenkiel, Todd King, Lewis Lollar and Greg Sniezek. Interment was at St. Frederick's Catholic Cemetery in Verndale. Arrangements were with Johnson Memorial Home in Wadena ( www.johnsonmemorialhome.com ).
Survivors include his wife; sons, Robert (Kathy), James (Joanne), and Kenneth (Angie), all of Wadena; daughters, Marladene (Joseph) Heinen, of Wadena, and Debbi (Josh) Williamson, of Greensboro, Md.; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Obert (Annella) Derby of Springsville, Calif., and sister-in-law, Verna Derby of Wadena. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Richard; brothers, Clayton, Bazil, Walter and an infant brother; sister, Carrie; and granddaughter, Lisa.
