Robert Parnow, 83, died on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 at Northwest Medical Center, CNC Unit, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, June 12, 2006 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Mark Kukkonen and Reverend Robert Dahlen officiating. Burial will be at Ekelund Cemetery, Highlanding Township, Pennington County, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 11, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service on Sunday evening with Pastor Irvin Schmitke and at the church for one hour prior to the service on Monday.

Robert Otto Parnow was born on August 2, 1922 on the Family Farm in Star Township, the son of Otto Emil and Mary Elizabeth (Speier) Parnow. He was baptized on September 1, 1922 at the Lutheran Parsonage in Goodridge and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Star Township by Reverend Lorenz. He attended Country Elementary School, and three years at the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, graduating on March 24, 1938. He also attended the Area Vocational School in Goodridge, where he learned welding.

He worked at Douglas Aircraft in 1941 and 1942, in Los Angeles, CA. On January 3, 1945 he entered the United States Navy and was stationed at Oklahoma City. He attained the rank of Aviation Metalsmith 3rd Class and was Honorably Discharged on April 19, 1946. Robert was united in marriage on October 8, 1949 to Adeline Irene Kulseth at the Goodridge Lutheran Church. They farmed the Family Farm in Star Township, retired and moved to Thief River Falls in 1989. During retirement Robert worked at Ace Hardware from 1989 to 2001.

Robert and Adeline received the Pennington County 'Farm Family of the Year in 1984, were presented the Valley Farmer and Homemaker Award in 1987, received the 4-H Hall of Fame Award in 1991. He served on the Pennington County Fair Board as superintendent of the sheep and swine for 10 years, and was on the Star Township Board for 12 years. Robert was a member of the Pennington County Historical Society, served on the Pennington County Soil and Conservation Board for 8 years, Ekelund Church Board for 12 years and was president for 1 year. He was a former member of the German Lutheran Church in Star Township and Ekelund Lutheran Church and was presently a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the American Legion of Thief River Falls. Robert took great pride in his relationship with the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, always striving to produce new and improved seed varieties. He worked closely with the University of Minnesota Extension Service and always appreciated the advice of the Northwest Experiment Station in Crookston. Robert also served on the Advisory Council at Northland College.

Robert loved reading, playing Cribbage, tending sheep and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Every Friday he would have breakfast at Johnnies, go to church and prepare Sunday bulletins. Robert was a sixteen year cancer survivor.

Robert is survived by his wife, Adeline of Thief River Falls, MN; three sons: Robert (Gayle) Parnow of Kansas City, MO, Fred (Beth) Parnow of Crookston, MN and Ross (Lara) Parnow of Divide, CO; one daughter, Marie (John) Schell of Clayton, CA; seven grandchildren: John (Tiffany), Kevin and Robert Schell, Christopher (Tricia), Matthew and Adam Parnow and Ann Parnow; three great grandchildren: Caden Parnow, and Taylor and Sydney Schell; one brother, Carrol (Frances) Parnow of Concord, NC; one sister, Ethel Christianson of La Mesa, CA; one sister-in-law, Agnes Parnow of Thief River Falls, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents; one sister, Alice Patten; one brother, Raymond Parnow; brothers-in-law, Stanley Christianson and Harvey Patten.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
ORGANIST: Holly Kukkonen
SOLOIST: LeRoy Aasland
SELECTIONS: The Lords Prayer and The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Praise to the Lord #543, O Day Full of Grace #161 and On Our Way Rejoicing #260
CASKETBEARERS: Chris Parnow, Matt Parnow, Adam Parnow, Ann Parnow, Robert Schell, Kevin Schell, John Schell, Dan Klopp and Gary Iverson
MILITARY HONORS: American Legion Ecklund-Holmstrom Post #117 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793