Robert Charles Eliassen

Robert C. Eliassen age 85 of Detroit Lakes, MN died June 28, 2018 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND. Robert Charles Eliassen was born August 21, 1932 in Detroit Lakes, MN to Lennert and Anna (Schmitz) Eliassen. He grew up near what is now the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and attended school at the Lonesome Pine Country School. He later moved and attended school in Frazee, MN and also near Round Lake in northern Becker County. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1955 during the Korean War. On December 16, 1956 he was united in marriage to Joann Conklin in Osage, MN. They made their home near Rochert, MN, where Robert worked as a logger. They later moved to Detroit Lakes and Robert worked at Snappy’s for a number of years. They later moved to Ely, MN for a couple years, working in a taconite mine near Babbitt, MN. They moved back to Detroit Lakes where he began his career with the MN Dept. of Transportation. He retired from there in 1995 after twenty six years. Robert loved the woods and throughout the years always continued to work there. He built and ran his own sawmill, peeled pulp wood and sold firewood. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworking, and spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Joann; one daughter, Sheri Blaney, of Detroit Lakes, MN; one son, Val (Julie Mohr) Eliassen, of Detroit Lakes, MN; four grandchildren, Beau Bennett, Casey Bennett, Jeremy Kunz, and Katie Blaney; and seven great grandchildren; Christopher, Mason, Aidan, Gavin, Liam, Robert, and Mia. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial Services will be on Friday July 6, 2018; 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN.