Robert Leroy Wieczorek

Robert Leroy Wieczorek 

January 27, 1932 – June 22, 2025

Robert Leroy Wieczorek, age 93, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on June 22, 2025 completing a long, full, well-lived and well-loved life.

He was born on January 27, 1932, in Winona, Minnesota, to Roman Wieczorek and Teresa (Zill) Wieczorek, where he lived his entire life after moving from Bluff Siding, Wisconsin in 1943.

His favorite stories from his childhood are of time with his dad -- Robert was the only kid allowed to tag along on hunting and fishing trips with his dad and the guys. He grew up to graduate from Winona Senior High and travel to parts of the U.S. and the world in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He had the great fortune of traveling no further than his childhood street to meet the first, true and only love of his life, Janet Stahmann. They met when they became across-the-street neighbors when he was 11 and she was 9. They grew up together, and remained inseparable. They married on May 23, 1953. There isn’t a day of their 72 years of marriage that Robert put anything before Janet.

Robert worked hard and showed up fully in all he did, through his 39-year career at Bay State Milling, and later as he ran the KOA campground south of Winona with Janet and his family.

Robert loved through his actions. He was a strong, caring and steady man; a protector and a giver. He enjoyed building and fixing just about anything in front of him, sharing jokes, and occasionally breaking into a very specific song: the Chiquita Banana jingle from the 1940s. Robert and Janet were great hosts and gatherers of people, and endless planners of fun, from annual family camping trips to basement cocktail socials to block parties to traveling with friends to southern states during snowy months. Their 70th wedding celebration drew a standing-room-only crowd. All who knew him said he was a good man -- the kind they just don’t make much anymore. In his final years he was a man of few words but many expressions of joy and love, from wide smiles and strong hugs for visiting friends and family (and for Vikings touchdowns), to raised eyebrows at the activities of great-grandchildren, to sharing laughs when delivering his signature brand of humor.

He deeply loved and was proud of his four children, Lynn, Lori, and Thomas, and Lisa, who died tragically in a skiing accident in 1979. It gave him joy to spend time with and celebrate the milestones and accomplishments of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Robert lived his life with love, kindness, gentleness, and decency, a great gift he gave generously and freely that lives on and carries forward in the lives and families of three generations.

Robert is survived by his loving wife and lifelong best friend Janet, daughters Lynn Rose (Winona MN), and Lori (Scott) Palbicki (Edmonton, KY), and son Thomas (Julie) Wieczorek (Duluth, MN); Grandchildren: Mollee (Brian Voerding) Sheehan, Sarah (Mark) Miranda, Chris (Kati Buckner) Wieczorek, Kayla Wieczorek, Ian Wieczorek, Hunter (Erika) Wieczorek, Isaiah Wieczorek, and Silas Wieczorek; Great grandchildren: Mason Smith, Miles Larson, Eve Smith, Elle Smith, Rex Miranda, Oliver Wieczorek, and Emory Wieczorek; and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Lisa; parents Roman and Teresa; sisters Florence and Doris; and granddaughter Grace.

Visitation will be held at 12 pm on Saturday, June 28, at Hoff Funeral Home in Goodview, MN, with a celebration of life, service and military honors at 1 pm, followed by lunch.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Freedom Honor Flight (of La Crosse).

The family https://www.freedomhonorflight.org/would like to thank Sugar Loaf Senior Living, Lake Winona Manor, and Winona Hospice for their support and compassion for Robert and his family.

So long, Robert. Our hearts and our lives are better for your being here. We will miss you and love you always.