Robert Owen Lerfald

Robert Owen Lerfald of Lauderdale, Minnesota, passed away on September 12 at the age of 87 at Our Lady of Peace hospice in St. Paul, Minnesota. Bob was born in Minneapolis on July 17, 1937 to Olaf Sivert Lerfald and Eleanor Lorraine Reusch Lerfald. Olaf immigrated to America from Norway in about 1909 at the age of 16. Bob’s Norwegian heritage was important to him, and he often told the story of his dad coming to America alone and at such a young age. 

Bob graduated from Marshall High School in Dinkytown and went on to attend the University of Minnesota, graduating from Bemidji State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He married Florence (Terry) Lavery in May of 1960. Terry was from Belfast, Ireland. They had two sons, Erik Robert born in 1963 and Kyle Scott born in 1967. As a family they attended Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota and later Trinity Baptist Church in Maplewood. Sadly, Terry died in 1986. 

Bob taught at Century College in Mahtomedi, Minnesota for 28 years as an instructor in the dental technology program, retiring in 2001. He then substitute taught in that same district for an additional 15 years. 

Bob married Kathy Bernstrom in September of 1988. Together they lived in Vadnais Heights for 16 years and most recently in Lauderdale, Minnesota in Kathy’s “heritage home.” 

In his pre-retirement years, Bob attended Luther Seminary and received his master’s degree in 1998 at the age of 61. It was a life-long desire to attend seminary, and his dream was fulfilled. 

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, his two brothers, and two nephews and a niece. 

Bob is survived by his wife of 36 years, Kathy Bernstrom Lerfald, his sons Erik (Jessica) and Kyle (Stacie) and granddaughters, Amanda, Andrea, Elizabeth; close relative John Lavery (Maria Furgiuele) and family, sisters-in-law Patricia and Jackie, brother-in-law Roger Bernstrom, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, great-grandchildren, the Lerfald, Lavery, Bernstrom and Lundell extended families, and great friends. 

Bob’s favorite subjects were: Christian theology, church history, Norwegian history and culture, geology, biology, anything nature really, American Indians, birds, Civil War, World War I, World War II. He also loved to fish and hunt. And reading was his passion. 

He was the nature expert of the family. Children past and present knew that Grandpa/Uncle Bob knew a lot about nature, especially birds. And in speaking of bugs, he would share, “All bugs are insects, but not all insects are bugs.” 

He had a storehouse of stories that he would tell frequently. You never knew when, in telling a story, he would take the leap to Bob’s fanciful world or share his Bobisms. He was a master storyteller! 

Having carved hundreds of duck decoys, along with some fish and Christmas characters, when once asked what he’d like to be known as at the end of his life, his answer was The Old Carver. 

Bob has been laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery Minneapolis, MN having served in the Army. 

His memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 11:00 a.m. at Mill City Church, 685 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. One hour prior, 10:00-11:00 am., there will be a time to greet the family and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and a Norwegian cookie! There will also be an ongoing tribute presentation of Bob’s life in the sanctuary. Lunch will follow the service in the dining room. Please enter by Door 3. 

The service will be live streamed for those unable to attend. It will become active shortly before the program begins. Hit the live button under the orange circle. If it doesn't work, go to youtube.com and search Mill City Church Minneapolis and you will find it there. Please note: Live streaming will not include audio on three of the musical numbers.  https://www.youtube.com@millcitychurch/streams

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.