Robert “Bob” Cloos, age 64, of Jordan, MN, passed away peacefully Monday, February 12, 2024, at Hennepin County Medical Center, in Minneapolis, MN.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 First Street West, Jordan, MN and on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 10-10:45 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake, MN. Father Tom Walker will preside. Interment will be held at Mound Cemetery, in Ortonville, MN on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 12:30PM.
Livestreaming will be available at St. Michael Catholic Church’s website https://stmichael-pl.org/ and by clicking on the “Mass and Services” tab.
Bob was born in Ortonville, MN, on March 22, 1959, to John and Joan (Cordie) Cloos. He was the 3rd child of 7 and grew up in Big Stone City, SD.
Much of Bob’s youth was spent hunting, fishing, and trapping as well as helping his family with gardening and growing the sweet corn they sold. Bob started working at a young age in his uncle’s gas station and also for the city of Big Stone. He took pride in his work and was meticulous in all that he did. He graduated from Ortonville High School in 1977 and went on to attend Lake Area VoTech to become a machinist. This trade led to his work with cars and the restoration of them. Bob enjoyed golfing with his brothers and friends, spending time with his Mom in the kitchen canning and found his love for winemaking with his Dad. Bob’s faith grew throughout his early years leading him to his profound love for Jesus and the desire to share his devotion with others by attending and working at many retreats.
In 1998, Bob made his home in Jordan, MN, and a few years later he met the love of his life, Denise. He proposed to her on the beach in St. Croix. They were married on July 26, 2002 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Prior Lake, MN. Together they enjoyed traveling and taking day trips to explore new scenery. Soon after they were married, they established a fondness for St. Michael’s sister parish in Chimbote, Peru and traveled there on two occasions where Bob loved to assist in drilling wells for water. Some of the many other wonderful places they discovered together include Macchu Picchu, the Amazon, Ireland, Italy, Glacier National Park, the Colombia River Gourge, Hawaii, Maine, Key West, Arizona, and many, many more. In their travels there was never a winery they missed.
When they were not traveling, Bob could be found at home working on projects. He truly was a “jack of all trades”! He was not an idle man, whether it be working in the yard, tending his large garden, or tearing down old barns and log cabins to build new, beautiful furniture. He was fond of driving around looking for old items to restore and sell, some of which included old outhouses that he renovated to be used as garden sheds. He was an “American Picker” before it was trendy. Bob took pride in the large addition he added to their house and the extensive remodeling he did to make their house a warm, beautiful home! He spent many hours canning produce from the garden and sharing the fruits of his labor with friends and family. He carried on his Dad’s winemaking legacy and was extremely proud of his best blend called “Purple Passion” which he shared with all.
Bob was bigger than life. He was full of love and laughter. He was passionate about everything he saw and experienced in life! Bob was a kind, generous man and took an interest in everyone he met. His ability to generate conversation was unmatched, he was a true storyteller and his convictions never faltered. Even when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2019, he still managed to persevere, maintain his zest for life and remain in good spirits while never losing the faith he had in the Lord’s healing. His diagnosis was hard on his body, but he continued to live life to the fullest; he was truly unstoppable. Bob embodied The Lord’s teachings of caring and loving and truly wore his heart on his sleeve! He could talk to anyone and everyone and will be remembered for leaving a little bit more love, laughter, and conviction in the world. He was an advocate for sharing God’s word and wanted to enlighten others to the wonders of the faith he was already living. Thirty-two years ago, Bob was gifted the “Living Faith” daily devotional and this past Christmas he was moved to gift the same devotional to all of his nieces, nephews and family. In his words “reading the devotional each morning was the best way to start the day and see where it takes you”.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Denise; siblings, Jim (Jolene) Cloos, Dave Cloos, Roger (Lori) Cloos, Todd (Candee) Cloos, Cathy (Barry) Gerber, Janet (Tom) Waibel; mother-in-law, Verona Anderson; brother-in-law, Dean Anderson; many nieces and nephews; other relatives, and friends.
Bob was greeted in Heaven by his parents, Jack and Joan Cloos; and father-in-law, Roger Anderson.
