Robert "Rob" Kompelien

Robert (Rob) Kompelien was born July 30, 1962 to Erling & Beverly Jean (Hansen) Kompelien.  Rob passed away on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at his home with family and loyal friend, Oliver, at his bedside.  

Rob grew up on the family farm north east of Minneota.  Rob was baptized and confirmed at St. Lucas Lutheran Church, Cottonwood, Minnesota.  He graduated from Minneota High School in 1980 and completed the Diesel Mechanic program at Canby Vo-Tech.  

Rob traveled from border to border when he was driving for Action Trucking and Pegasus Horse Transport.  Rob’s work experience included bartending, hauling hot oil, hauling tomatoes in Florida, hauling gravel, retrieving trucks, Schwan’s, plowing snow, running excavation equipment, tiling, serving on the Westerheim Township Board and most importantly, farming.  Rob was always quick to lend a helping hand whether it be a farmer friend or a neighbor in need.  No job was too big, too small or too complicated.  The stories from all of these experiences are many and will make those who knew him smile.

While Rob was a hard-worker he also knew how to take time to play.  Weekends at the lake, family vacations, riding motorcycle, riding horse, and spending time with family and friends.  Again, the stories are countless.  

Rob was a kind man with a great sense of humor.  He was the Dad he didn’t have to be to five step children, a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, uncle, and a genuinely true friend.  He rarely went places where he didn’t know someone and usually knew many by the time he left.  He had the gift to talk and to make people laugh.  We will miss his laughter, his jokes, his pranks, his stories, his helping hand, warm hugs, and friendship.  

Rob is survived by his wife Ellie; 5 stepchildren, Wyatt (and Katie) Schuster of Cottonwood, MN; Michaela (and Tyson) Schlenner of Wood Lake, MN; Amanda (and Jeff) Bot of Wood Lake, MN; Sam (and Karla) Drown of Lynd, MN; and Jimmy (and Barb) Drown of Brewster, MN;  5 step-grandchildren, Ryker Schlenner, Andrew & Jared Bot, Nate Drown & Justin Mettling; siblings Jeff (and Julaine) Kompelien, Minneota, MN; Kristine Reed & son, Anthony, Sioux Falls, SD; and Karen Feterl & son Taylor, Sioux Falls, SD; Robert Kompelien aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.

Rob was preceded in death by his parents Erling & Beverly Jean Kompelien; previous wife Becky; maternal and paternal grandparents; niece Loni Kompelien; aunts & uncles.  

Services for Rob will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 30, 2023 at St. Lucas Lutheran Church of Normania Township with visitation one hour prior to church.  Burial to follow in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, September 29, 2023 at the J.H. Lynner Funeral Home in Clarkfield with prayer service at 6:45 p.m. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert "Rob" Kompelien, please visit our floral store.