Robert Allen Varholdt

PLEASE WATCH ROBERT'S PRIVATE SERVICE BELOW In the interest of the health and safety of our family, friends, and community and due to the growing concern of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), we had to keep the funeral service to a very limited number of people Please take care and keep safe. Robert Varholdt, age 68, of Hawley, MN, died unexpectedly on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at his residence. Robert Allen was born June 28, 1951 in Fergus Falls, MN, to Johan and Bernice (Lerbakken) Varholdt. At Hamar Lutheran Church, Rothsay, MN, he was baptized and confirmed. In rural Pelican Rapids, he attended Happy Knoll country school and in 1969 graduated from Pelican Rapids High School. In 1971, he graduated from the Alexandria Technical College for Law Enforcement. On December 5, 1997, Robert married Jean E. Hanson in Moorhead, MN. Robert was employed with BNSF Railway Company in the Maintenance of Way Department (tri-state area of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota) for 42 years. For most of his career, he worked as a machine operator until retiring in 2011 at the age of 60. Through BNSF, he was a member of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees. Always a hard worker, after retiring he kept busy with lawn and yard work as he loved spending time outdoors. He took pride in being helpful and caring (especially to his family.) For over 40 consecutive years, Robert and Jean E. never missed going to Minnesota State Fair. Robert like watching parades, especially the D.L. Water Carnival Parade held in July. Robert is survived by his wife Jean E.; siblings: JoAnn (Herbert) Anderson, Hawley, Betty Ouren, Barnesville, Sheree Erickson, Rothsay; sister-in-law Ellen Ann (Bill) Kaneen, Kalispell, MT; brothers-in-law: Ronald (Lorie) Hanson, East Grand Forks, MN; Donald (Colette) Hanson, Pelican Rapids, MN; John (Linda) Hanson, Hungry Horse, MT; uncle and aunts: Lloyd (Betty) Varholdt and Delores Lerbakken; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; brother Jerry; nephews Mark Ouren and Ryan Kaneen, niece Julie Kaneen; father and mother-in-law Jarhl and Marjorie Hanson; numerous aunts and uncles. Memorials preferred to Grove Lake Lutheran Church or Hedemarken Cemetery, Rothsay, MN Please keep the Varholdt family in our thoughts and prayers. Robert's Memorial Folder