Robert Howard Van Alst

Memorial services for Robert Van Alst, age 68, of Ogilvie, will be held Monday, May 16, 2016 at 7 PM at Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca with Rev. Bob DeYoung officiating. Visitation will be from 4 - 7 PM Monday at the funeral home. Robert passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at St. Cloud Hospital.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Robert Howard Van Alst was born April 13, 1948 in Independence, IA to Howard and Betty (Finley) Van Alst. He lived in Rowley, IA until moving to Ogilvie, MN in 1961. Bob married Lillian Nelson on July 3, 1967. His passion for life showed through in everything he did, whether it was fast cars, farming, or trucks. It was always full tilt. Bob made many friends and was always ready to jump in and lend a hand. He wore many hats: production worker, dock worker, farmer and truck owner/operator with his wife, Lillian.  He is survived by wife, Lillian; four children, Tammy (Gary) Schmidt of Grasston, Trish (Tom) Robak of Oak Park, Bobbi (Brian) Erickson of Jacobson and Rob Jr. (Jessica) of Ogilvie; seven grandchildren, Ken Hoffman, Dennis Hoffman and Carla Hoffman all of Milaca, Kaylyn Robak of Milaca, Corbin Robak of Oak Park, Kyle Jones and Dakota Jones both of Sioux Falls, SD; brothers and sisters, Don Freese of Cedar Rapids, IA, Sandy Houdek of Ogilvie, Gary Van Alst of Ogilvie, Sue Kennedy of Ogilvie and Lori Stene of Fridley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Van Alst in 2000 and Betty (Finley) Van Alst in 2014.