Robert Cournia

Robert Allen "Bob" Cournia, 67, of Crookston, MN, died very unexpectedly of natural causes Thursday morning, November 7th, 2013. Bob was born in Crookston on December 7, 1945, the son of Delmont and Lorraine (Chappuis) Cournia. He was baptized and confirmed at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1963. He went on to attend Hanson Mechanical Trade School in Fargo, ND, graduating from there in 1965. During this time Bob also served with the National Guard for a number of years and trained at Grand Forks, ND. On October 28, 1967 he was united in marriage to Linda Morrisey at the Cathedral. Their marriage was blessed by the births of three children: Michelle, Christopher, and Rebecca. Bob was a very proud lifelong area farmer who started out working with his father, Del, before eventually taking over the operation. During those early years his winter employment was with Dahlgren's and the Crookston Arena. In later years Bob was the exhibit coordinator for the Red River Valley Winter Shows and the International Sugarbeet Institute. Several years ago he was extremely pleased to welcome his son, Chris, to the farm and to mentor him as he began his career in farming. In 1968 Bob joined the Crookston Firefighters' Association as a member of the volunteer fire department. He was honored as 'Fireman of the Year' in 1999, and after a rewarding 40 year "other career," retired in 2008. His favorite ways to relax included spending time with Linda and the family at Potato Lake, near Park Rapids, MN; checking on the fields; and enjoying a cup of coffee at the Fire Department or with his many farm friends. Bob was a devoted, lifelong member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; served as a eucharistic minister for the Church; and was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He also held membership in Crookston Eagles Aerie #873, and served on the board of Crookston Fuel from 1990-2007 as a director and past president. Bob was honored as West Polk County King Agassiz in 1985-86. He will long be remembered for his spirit of volunteering and giving back to his community. His legacy to his family will be his love of the land, because no matter what the season he was always planting, fertilizing, harvesting, or planning the next crop. "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant." Bob will be very lovingly remembered by his family and many, many friends. Grateful to have shared in Bob's life are his beloved wife of 46 years, Linda; their 3 children: Michelle (Rod) Erdmann and Christopher (Jacqueline) Cournia of Crookston, MN, and Rebecca Cournia (Ray Broadwell) of Grand Forks, ND; his dear sister, Barbara Cournia of Crookston; 7 grandchildren: Amber, Justin, and Ashleigh Erdmann, Lindsay (Brett) Anderson, and Caitlyn, Ian, and Johnathan Cournia; great-grandchildren: Landon Kraft, Ella Anderson, and Baby Anderson, due to arrive in June; and many "adopted" kids and grandkids. Bob also leaves several aunts and uncles: Louis and Nancy Cournia of Crookston, Ester Johnson of Chicago, IL, Marvin and Rose Marie Torgerson of Racine, WI, Art and Gloria Pretory of Hemet, CA, and Melvin Podevels of Milwaukee, WI; and many cousins and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Del and Lorraine; parents-in-law, John and Dorothy Morrisey; sister-in-law, Sharon Morrisey; and grandparents, Paul and Martha Chappuis, and Louie, Ann, and Jenny Cournia. May God richly bless the memory of Bob Cournia. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Robert Allen Cournia will be held at 2:00pm, Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston. Visitation will be at the Cathedral on Monday from 5-7:00pm, with a 7:00pm prayer service and time for sharing of memories, and visitation also for one hour prior to the funeral service. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Crookston. Memorials may be given in Bob's name to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception or the Crookston Firefighters Association.

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Monday, November 11, 2013
Service
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
cemetery
Tuesday, November 12, 2013