Robert "Bob" John Koland

Robert John Koland, age 73, of Motley, MN died May 7, 2024 at the Lakewood Hospital, Staples, MN with his wife, Maria and family at his side. Cancer and heart disease took his life too soon. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, June 7, 2024 at the Halvorson-Taylor Life Events Center in Brainerd, MN. Visitation will be held from 12-1:00 P.M. on Friday, June 7, 2024 at the Halvorson-Taylor Life Events Center in Brainerd, MN. Burial will take place in the Wildwood Cemetery in Pillager, Mn at a later date. Caring for Robert and his family is the Halvorson-Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd, MN.

Robert "Bob" Koland was born on October 11, 1950, in Mora, MN to the late Arthur and Nancy (Reed) Koland. The family lived in Sandstone, MN. In 1958 the family relocated to Brainerd/Pillager area. Bob attended Pillager Schools from 3rd grade until he graduated from Pillager High School with the Class of 1968. Bob was very active and enjoyed playing many sports. After graduation, he enlisted in the United State Army on October 1968. Bob served his country in the Vietnam War earning an honorable discharge. Bob began trucking in 1972 as an owner operator. His travels included hauling over the road, hauling grain and logs. Bob was united in marriage to the love of his life Maria Alice O'Bannon on September 15, 1979, in Brainerd, MN. He was also a very knowledgeable mechanic, repairing his own trucks as well as helping many others repair their cars, trucks and semis. His mechanical abilities later led him to purchase Motley Auto Repair in January 2010. Then retiring in 2021 after he received a cancer diagnosis. In 1995, Bob, with the help of his family, built our home west of Motley, which included a large shop for his semi’s, then a garage for his wife. He will forever be remembered by his family and many friends for his great sense of humor, his life stories, his smile and always wearing his trademark, the old military hat. Bob was a long-time member of the American Legion and Life Member of the VFW.

Bob is survived by wife of 44 years, Maria (O’Bannon ) Koland of Motley, MN; brother, James Koland; sisters, Kitty Peterson, Linda Haider and Tone (Tim) O'Bannon, many nieces and nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Nancy Koland; brother, Dennis Koland; sister-in-law, Sylvia Koland and brother-in-law, Bob Peterson.