Robert "Bob" Brotten

Robert M. “Bob” Brotten of Pine City, Minnesota passed away Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Lakeside Health & Rehab surrounded by his wife and family. Bob was born to David and Blanche Brotten on May 18, 1936 at the Maternity Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Bob was the youngest boy of eight children and was adored by his older sisters.   Bob moved to California and graduated from San Jose, California High School.  In June 1956,  he married Lillymae Paul.  Bob and Lillymae had five children and in 1969 moved back to Minnesota to raise their children on a farm in Pine City, where they lived until Lillymae passed away in 1973.Bob and Nancy met and were married in October 1979; joining two families ofnow eight children.  Bob and Nancy were best friends and enjoyed over 37 yearsof a fulfilled and happy marriage of deep love and devotion to one another.  After college Bob started his career in the Telecommunications business joining Pacific Bell as a Lineman.  In 1969 Bob transferred to Northwestern Bell in Minnesota.  He worked in the regional area around Pine City and the Twin Cities.  He also worked long term special projects for Northwestern Bell in Rapid City, South Dakota after floods destroyed telephone lines.  Later  AT & T  acquired Northwestern Bell where he finished his career with them in 1985.In 1986, Bob and Nancy started their own successful business; “Brotten Communications”.  The business had Bob and Nancy working side by side allover the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin on some very long days and nights.Bob left his legacy as a loving husband to Nancy, Dad to his 8 children, Grandpa to his 16 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.  Bob will be dearly missed for his smile, laugh, silly humor, friendship and love of others.Bob is survived by his wife Nancy Brotten; Children and Grandchildren, Sarah Roller (Charles), Sam Taylor, Ben Taylor, Gabe Taylor;  Synthia Muzingo (Jim), Jenny Bloyer, Theresa Rolf, Hiedi Isom, David Bloyer;  Phyllis Skoglund (Trace), Eleesha Hruza, Desiree Hruza and Javier Hruza;  Robert Brotten (Priscilla), Robert Brotten, Chelsea Rae Amrhein, Dakota Brotten;  Susie Kranz (Jim – deceased), Shelby Kranz, Alyssa Kranz;  Troy Rohweder (Mary Moritz);  Andrew Rohweder, Emma Rohweder;  Gina Hachey.     Sisters Blanche “Toots” Smith, Rachael  Felgelman and brother Bill Brotten.  And many other special great grandchildren, family and friends.Bob is preceded in death by his parents David and Blanche Brotten, former spouse Lillymae Brotten, Son-in-Law Jim Kranz, Sisters ClaraMae Basket, Phyllis Gesino, Brothers Dean Brotten, Darrell Brotten.Reverend Charles Roller will officiate the Celebration of Life service for Robert M. Brotten on Saturday, April 1, 2017, 10:30 am.  Visitation will be 1 hour prior, 9:30-10:30 am.  Services will be held at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City.Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Funeral Chapel.  www.funeralandcremationservice.com