Robert Krystosek

The Rev. Robert "Fr. Bob" Henry Krystosek, age 84, of Clara City, died Monday afternoon, July 9, at the Clara City Care Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, at St. Clara's Catholic Church in Clara City. Interment will be at St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery in Holdingford. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. with Parish Prayers and Rosary service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 13, at St. Clara's Catholic Church. Visitation will also continue for one hour prior to the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Fr. Krystosek Scholarship Fund, c/o Cathedral High School, St. Cloud, MN. are preferred. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.

Robert was born on October 5, 1927, on the family farm near Holdingford, Minnesota, the son of Edward and Irene (Hilbert) Krystosek. He grew up with his siblings, Marguerite, Edward Jr. and twins, Jean and Joan. The family moved to Willmar in the early 1940's. Robert worked for many years with his father in the family meat market and attended Willmar Public School. When time came to attend the seminary, Robert spent four years at the Crosier Fathers in Onamia, Minnesota. There he began his studies of Latin and Greek.

He graduated from St. John's University in Collegeville with a BA degree - a major in Philosophy and a minor in Latin and Greek. He was out of school for a year and taught Latin and German at Willmar High School. In 1956, Robert finished his studies for the Catholic priesthood at Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri. Robert Henry Krystosek received the sacrament of Holy Orders on May 29th, 1956 at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Grand Island, Nebraska and became a Catholic priest. He was ordained for the Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska. On June 3, 1956, Fr. Robert said his First Solemn High Mass at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. It was a great day for his family and the church in Willmar.

In life, Robert had three obsessions: Holy Mass, teaching school and working in the Boy Scout movement. The Diocese of Grand Island awarded Robert with the Saint George award for outstanding work on behalf of the church in scouting. In early years, he was also a hospital chaplain, and learned to love the patients and take care of them.

The number of parishes he served in were almost endless...St. Mary's Cathedral, Grand Island, Bayard, NE., Eddyville and Oconto, NE., several churches in South Dakota and North Dakota and in the churches of the New Ulm Diocese in Minnesota. His teaching career covered many towns and schools. Father Robert retired to Clara City, Minnesota where he has family members. In retirement he spent most every week taking care of a parish when the pastor is absent.

He is survived by one sister, Jean Bestvina of Prospect Heights, IL.; and one brother, Edward (and Pat) Krystosek of Thief River Falls, MN., and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Marguerite Parkhurst and Joan DuHoux.