ROBERT NICHOLAS BISSEN

May 31, 1917 - June 22, 2015

Robert Nicholas Bissen, 98, of Caledonia, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 22, 2015 at Caledonia Care and Rehab with time for those closest to him to say their good byes. Bob was born May 31, 1917 in Brownsville to Nicholas and Sophia (Graf) Bissen. He married Lillian Henselin on February 29,1954 at the parsonage in Brownsville. When he was young, Bob spent much of his time outdoors hunting, trapping, fishing and at his cabin near Brownsville. He was instrumental in forming the Caledonia Trap Shooting Club and for a period of time enjoyed golfing with his brother Warren. Along with his brother Gene, he owned and operated a Texaco service station in Hokah and an oil company in Caledonia. After retirement around 1974, he and Lil moved to Eitzen where they operated an antique business and Bob was a rural mail carrier. He will always be remembered by friends and customers in the antique business for his unique rebate system when negotiating a sale. In the early 1990’s, they built a new home and moved back to Caledonia. Bob spent much of his time in the woodshop making plant stands, cupboards, bird houses and whatever else his imagination came up with. Many of these were his own designs with details from antiques he had owned through the years. Although the bird houses were for sale, its hard to say if he sold more or gave more away! Bob never thought of people as strangers, only friends that he had not yet met! He could and would talk to anyone who had time to listen, telling stories and jokes until he got them to smile or laugh. Robert is survived by his wife, Lillian; a sister, Rita Von Arx; 3 sisters in law, Bernadette, Doris and Florence Bissen; many nieces and nephews, and especially those friends and relatives who were there for help and support these last years when it was needed. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Raymond, Joseph, Warren, and Eugene Bissen; and his infant sister, Catherine Lorraine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am on Friday, June 26th, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Caledonia. Fr. Pratap Reddy Salibindla will officiate and burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Caledonia. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 am Friday before the service at the church. McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia is assisting the family with arrangements.