Robert "Bob" Virgil Laznicka

Robert V. “Bob” Laznicka of Warroad, MN passed away at the age of 86 at LifeCare Medical Center in Roseau, MN on November 14, 2023. He was born to Virgil and Hulda Mabel (Fichter) Laznicka in Roseau on April 11, 1937.

Robert attended a country schoolhouse in Malung through the 10th grade. He worked on his father’s farm as a young boy but left home at the age of 15 yrs. He was ambitious, with many interests and dreams. He worked for local farmers, and farmers in North Dakota. He learned young how to make and save money. Bob was employed in Minneapolis at 17-18 yrs of age and then moved back to Roseau and worked at Polaris when they were still making straw choppers. At the time there were less than 10 employees. He then moved to Biwabik, MN and was employed at Erie Mining Co. He made countless trips to Warroad to see his sweetheart Linda Lorraine Streiff. Driving up to the jewelry store in Roseau one day, Robert said I suppose we should get a ring. And that was the extent of his proposal! They were married June 7, 1958 and continued to live in Biwabik until Linda graduated high school in 1959, when they moved back to Warroad. Robert began work as a mechanic at Warroad Motors for Donavon Olson, who became his best friend and was like an older brother he could count on for the next 55 yrs. Robert was an entrepreneur and started his own construction and trucking business in 1965 when their third daughter was born. Robert and Linda had 6 children. In 1975, they bought a farm a mile south of Warroad and raised cattle and grain farmed. They were married for 25 years before divorcing. He remained single for the rest of his life.

Robert started Warroad Ready Mix Construction in approximately 1965. He was a true business man and operated his business with 3 of his children and countless employees until 2015. He semi-retired to grain farming with his youngest son Jason. Robert drove tractors, combines and grain truck through this past fall’s harvest. His dog “Jag” could be seen riding with him nearly all the time. Robert had several German Shepherds in the past 2 decades. A fun memory is when his tractor was pulled into the ditch next to Warroad Ready Mix and became stuck. Robert got out to get a loader to pull the tractor. In the meantime, his dog Brute sat in the seat of the tractor. Many people drove by and for the next week or so, Robert was teased about how he trained his dog to drive tractor. When his dog, Brute, passed it was very tough on Robert. Brute had been his sidekick for 9 yrs.

Robert had a hobby of buying cars and reselling them. This was an activity he enjoyed his entire life and included old cars and vintage tractors. Dirt bikes, 4-wheelers, snowmobiles and motorcycles were present throughout his family raising years. Robert had many 4-wheeler trails through his woods that he, his children and grandchildren enjoyed. He loved his family dearly.

He liked practical jokes as long as the joke wasn’t on him! Robert had a sense of dry humor that his family appreciated (most of the time). Robert was blessed with 6 loving and dedicated children. We will all miss him so much.

“We love you Dad!”

Robert is survived by his German Shepherd Jag, former wife and friend Linda Laznicka, his 6 children, Teresa George (husband Deonte Dettore) of Warroad, Nancy DeLander of Moorhead, MN, Kris (Jeff Larsen) of Warroad, Tony (Christine) Laznicka of Warroad, Leslie (Rick) Beckrich of Grand Rapids and Jason (Jenny) Laznicka of Warroad. 19 grandchildren, Jesse (Amanda) George of Thief River Falls, MN, Whitney (Tom) Stenvik of Alvarado, MN, Daphne (Daniel) Matheson of Tucson, AZ, Anthony (Lindsay) George of Warroad, Quincy (Kerstin) George of Salol, Willy George (Brandi Worth) of Warroad, Brittany Ryba of Fargo, ND, Samantha (Tyler) Heppner of Warroad, Robert Laznicka of Thief River Falls, Victoria Laznicka of Thief River Falls, Virgil Laznicka of Thief River Falls, Garrett Beckrich of Grand Rapids, Gretchen Beckrich of Grand Rapids, Nathan Laznicka, Wisconsin, Justyce Hamlin, Warroad, Christopher Hamlin, Warroad, Conner Lee-Huso, Warroad, Elyse Laznicka, Warroad, Jaxson Laznicka, Warroad. 17 great-grandchildren, Nevaeh and Declan George, Amelia, Vivian and Eleanor Stenvik, Linda and Grant Matheson, Emily and Marcus George, Arthur George, Atticus and Theadora Worth, Noah, Kate and Emma Heppner, and Penelope and Julian Laznicka.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Virgil and Mabel Laznicka, sisters Betty Kelley, Elsie Larson and brother Roy Laznicka.

Services will be held Privately. 

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