Visitation for 78, of Marshall, will take place on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall. A private family interment will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall.
Robert Gary Elsen was born on October 14, 1944, in Minneapolis, MN, to Joseph and Louise (Borg) Elsen. He grew up in Minneapolis and was among the first class to graduate from Minneapolis North High School. Robert enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in Guam and the Philippines during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Minneapolis where he obtained an Accounting Degree from the Minnesota School of Business. On September 9, 1972, he was united in marriage to Beverly Versaevel. To this union were born children Brenda and Benjamin. The family lived in Tracy, Rock Valley, IA, and, later, Watertown, SD, where Robert worked as a Machinist. The couple later divorced and Robert moved to St. Cloud. He returned in 2001 and lived in Balaton and Tracy. He was most recently living at Boulder Estates in Marshall. In addition to his service in the Navy, Robert served in the U.S. National Guard for 29 years. He enjoyed playing cribbage, doing jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku and reading. He enjoyed following sports, especially the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx.
Robert died on Friday, December 9, 2022, at the Prairie Home Hospice Lockwood House in Marshall. He is survived by his daughter, Brenda (Mike) Chisholm of Gary, MN, son Ben (Holly) Elsen of Tracy; mother Louise Elsen of Annandale; grandchildren Carolyn, Tucker, Savannah, Morgan, Owen, Alex, Brooklyn and Madelyn; sister Judy (Bob) Hystad; nephews Charles (Rene) Hystad and Edward (Annette) Hystad; great-nieces and nephews Emily (Chris) Peters, Samuel Hystad, and Henry Hystad. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph, and Beverly Elsen.
