With Deep sorrow, our father, husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Robert (Bob) Dvorak, age 88, left us on November 20, 2025, for his heavenly home.

Robert Gean Dvorak was born May 22, 1937, to John and Cora “Mabel” (Tepley) Dvorak at their rural home in Todd County, MN.  He was the youngest of five children.  He attended several country schools before graduating from Clarissa High School in 1955 and enlisted in the United States Air Force to honorably and proudly serve his country. Bob spoke many, many times of his time spent in the service and of his fellow comrades. On June 14, 1958, he was united in marriage to Shirley Bristlin at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Bartlett Township, Verndale, MN. 

Bob worked as a welder in Staples.  He and Shirley raised five children on their farm: Kathy, Alison, Mitchell, David, and Jim.  He raised sheep, which he really enjoyed, and was especially proud of his “prize” ram.  Later, he milked a few cows.  While he was working in town, Shirley and their two eldest sons helped with the milking and chores.

Bob was an avid reader, loved hunting small game birds, deer, and, in his later years, turkeys.  He was known for his “funny” stories ending with dynamic laughter shared by everyone listening.  His favorite music was the “old-fashioned polka” music.  He especially enjoyed his favorite traditional family meal of pork roast with dumplings, prune kolaches, prune-filled cookies, and homemade finger rolls.

In 1990, Bob and Shirley moved to Yakima, WA, returning to Minnesota to retire on their current farm in 2001 of which he had a profound and endearing love for, spending quiet moments on the deck listening and watching the birds and observing deer and turkeys passing through the yard.  It was their “little slice of heaven” of which he had a profound and endearing love. It was there Bob remained until the day of his death.

Bob’s presence, stories and laugh will be forever missed and remembered by his wife, Shirley of 67 years, daughters Kathy (Mike) Larson of rural Browerville and Alison (Michael) Shipley of Moberly, MO; sons Mitchell (Angela) of Zimmerman, MN, David “Dave” (Seri) of Bellevue, WA and James “Jim /Jr (Carol) of Yakima, WA; grandchildren, Michelle, Christopher, Becky, Thomas, Anthony, Minda, Julieanna, Hunter, Holden, Carter, Kenadi, Brooklyn, and Harper; great-grandchildren, Alaina, Chloe, Tayvin, Haisley, Shawn, Jacob, Elaina, Anthony, and Emma.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, John and Cora Dvorak, brothers Joyce and Frank,  sisters, Alice Cline and Grace Cline.

A memorial service will take place in his honor on December 5, 2025, at the Iten Funeral Home in Browerville, Minnesota.  Visitation will be from 1:00—2:00 pm, with the service commencing at 2:00 pm.  Lunch will be served after the service at the Browerville Community Center.