Robert "Bob" King

Robert "Bob" LeRoy King, age 86, of Grove City, passed away Monday afternoon, July 20, at his residence.

A private family graveside service will be held at a later date at St. John Lutheran Cemetery near Atwater.  Arrangements are with the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Atwater.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Robert LeRoy King, the son of Archibold "Archie" King and Elsie (Collard) King was born on September 14, 1933 in Grove City, MN.  In his early years of school, he lived in Indiana, Illinois and in Michigan.  They moved back to Grove City where he finished elementary classes at a country school.  He graduated from Grove City High School in 1952.  Bob served in the U.S. Navy for over a year before he was honorably discharged for a family hardship.

On February 17, 1957, he married Frances Larson at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Litchfield.  They lived in the Crystal/New Hope area for 13 years.  He worked for Wonder Bread in route sales for about 5 years before becoming an owner/operator of a Standard Service Station.  Several years later, he then owned a Shell Station.  In 1971, the family moved to Diamond Lake full-time and Bob went back to Wonder Bread as a semi driver for a total of 26 years of service, retiring in 1995.  Bob served as a Trustee for 15 years at St. John Church in Atwater, and was on the Board of Directors at Kandiyohi Electric Co-Op for 15 years.  Bob enjoyed his 9-acre residence on Diamond Lake, annual hunting trips with his son’s, nephews and grandchildren near Baudette, MN.  He had a passion for cars, tractors and anything motorized.  People who knew him, loved his dry sense of humor, and mischievous practical jokes.

He is survived by his children Debra King-Spencer of Willmar, Jeff (and Lorna) King of Spicer, Nancy Skindelien (and Dave Gerding) of Willmar, Melissa Buer of Atwater, William King of Buffalo; one sister, Donna Swanson of Litchfield; 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Ann King in 2016,