Obituary: Robert P. “Bob” Polipnick

Robert P. “Bob” Polipnick, age 89 of Sauk Centre, passed away on Sunday, August 13, 2023, surrounded by his family at Fairway Pines in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 17 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Mark Botzet officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the church. Parish prayers will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Robert (Bob) Paul Polipnick was born February 18, 1934 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Edward and Amelia (Steffes) Polipnick. His youth was spent helping his dad and mom at the Main Street Cafe, where he grew up in the apartment upstairs. He graduated from Sauk Centre High School in 1952, and it was in high school where he met his wife, and love of his life, Edna Schurman. They were married October 1, 1955.

Bob and Edna raised their family in the city he loved. He was passionate about Sauk Centre. Bob served as mayor, city councilman, hospital board member, volunteer firefighter, Chamber of Commerce president and board member, Sinclair Lewis Foundation board member, Riverview Manor board member, rotary president and Rotarian, founding member of the Sauk Centre Dollars for Scholars and many others.

In 1955, Bob went to work at Steiner Lumber Company and bought the business in 1972. He eventually sold the business to his son but continued to go out to the “lumber yard” every day until a few months before his passing.

Bob was a sports enthusiast and talented athlete. He played baseball and basketball and ran track in high school. He played amateur baseball into his 30s and briefly came out of retirement in his 50s to play on the Malloy’s Boys softball team. Bob was also an avid golfer, with 5 holes-in-one in his career, and he could be found most Thursday nights and Sunday mornings on the golf course. Bob announced Streeter football games for 20 years and was a high school football and basketball referee. He was also a huge Saint Cloud State hockey fan. While participating in athletics was an integral part of his life, his greatest joy was watching his son, grandkids, and great-grandkids play sports. He was happiest on a bleacher or a bench and was even known to heckle a referee every now and then.

Bob and Edna had a strong faith and love of God. They went to daily mass, prayed the rosary nightly, and spent time at the adoration chapel. Bob served on the church board, building addition board, and numerous ministries in the church.

Making people smile was Bob’s goal during every interaction. He had an endless supply of jokes, gave the best hugs, and always knew when someone needed a smile, kind word, or a piece of candy to make their day a little better. He was perpetually positive, and he gave the best advice. Bob loved without reservation.

Bob was most proud of family. He grew up with a strong commitment to family and instilled that in his children. He is survived by his children, Mary (Dan) Borgmann, Mickey (Bruce) Welle, Marcia (Lee) Riedel, and Rob (Sue) Polipnick; grandchildren, Tim (Janelle) Borgmann, Matt (Lindsay) Borgmann, Katie (Cory) Nathe, Annie (Charlie) Korenchen, Chrissy (Kris) Hokanson, Becky (Paul) Winters, Beth (Ira) Bradford, Lindsay (Nick) Cox, Jordan Welle, BJ Welle, Andy Riedel, Jenny (Ben) Roloff, Courtney (Curtis) Krump, Robby (Ashley) Polipnick, and Stephy Polipnick; great-grandchildren, Hailey, Mason, Isaac, Peyton, Nora, Isaiah, Carter, Boston, Max, Liam, Raya, James, Brynn, Easton, Holly, Sawyer, Mila, Millie, Hudson, Quinn, Maisy, Neil, Grayson, Jack, Brooks, Parker and Adelee and Baby Krump due December 2023; sister, Juleen “Lee” Johnston; brothers-in-law, Ed Schurman and Bill (Dee) Schurman; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Polipnick and Laura (Bill) Pohl.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Edna (Schurman) Polipnick; brothers, Alan, Jack, Dick, and Jim; and sisters, Virginia Blair and Rosie Kosek.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Holy Family School in Sauk Centre or Sauk Centre Sports Boosters.

Source: Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Service