Robert “Bob” Myster, of Prior Lake, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2018 at the age of 79. A memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation in Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial is Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 11:00 AM with visitation one-hour prior at St. Michael Catholic Church. Father Tom Walker will preside. Bob will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
On June 30, 1938, Howard and Lois (Lohn) Myster celebrated the birth of Robert Lohn Myster. Bob was the oldest of five children and enjoyed growing up in Bismarck, North Dakota. When Bob was 14 years old, his father passed away. As the oldest boy, and the new man of the house, Bob felt it was his duty to get a job at the local grocery store to help his mother and siblings.
After graduating from Bismarck High School, Bob enlisted in the United State Navy. He proudly served his country from 1956 – 1960 until being honorably discharged. During this time, Bob had the opportunity to focus on his education. He attended Georgia Tech where he studied Industrial Management.
After the Navy, Bob returned to Bismarck to pursue his education. At Bismarck State College, he met a lovely young woman, named Sally Draeger. The two exchanged wedding vows at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bismarck on August 18, 1962. As newlyweds, they moved to Valley City so Bob could finish his schooling at Valley City Teacher’s College where he studied English and Economics while also editing the school paper.
After Bob graduated, the couple moved to Prior Lake, Minnesota where Bob had a teaching job lined up. After one year of teaching middle school English, Bob transitioned to become a technical writer for Unisys and later, ADC Telecommunications. He spent over 30 years in the field. Bob was a hard worker and provided a wonderful life for his family. He even took extra jobs around the holidays to ensure the time was special for his children.
Bob and Sally were blessed with six wonderful children, Michael, Steven, Amy, Theresa, Christopher and Kathryn. As a family, they loved spending time outside and especially enjoyed family camping trips. They visited the majority of the 64 state parks in Minnesota. They also took many memorable family road trips across the country to places like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and DisneyLand. As the kids grew up and moved out of the house, Bob passed on his love of the outdoors and camping to his grandkids as well.
In retirement, Bob was able to spend more time traveling and enjoying some of his favorite hobbies. He was an avid gardener and took wonderful care of his flowers and vegetables. Bob loved music and especially liked listening to country and jazz music with musicians like Ella Fitzgerald and Dave Brubeck. He enjoyed writing, cheering on the Packers and singing in a Barber Shop Quartet. Bob was also very interested in HAM Radio. He was a active member of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service. He loved operating his radio and could spend hours doing so, occasionally late into the night.
He had many interests, but the most important things in Bob’s life were his family and his faith. Bob was a strong believer and loved his church. He sang in the St. Michael’s choir for more than 40 years. Bob and Sally formed lifelong friends through, Teams of Our Lady. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He even served as Grand Knight for a year.
Bob was a kind and gentle man. In recent years, Bob’s memory began to fade, but he remained the same gentle soul he’d always been. The last week of his life, Bob was at his home surrounded by his entire family. The home was filled with love as they cared for him physically, emotionally and spiritually.
He will be deeply missed and remembered always by his loving wife of 55 years, Marcella “Sally” Myster; children, Michael Myster, Steven (Denise) Myster, Amy Kyllonen, Theresa (Jorge) Gonzalez, Christopher Myster, Kathryn (Brian) Cooney; grandchildren, Elizabeth, David and Lauren Myster; Rebecca Kyllonen, Sabrina (Josh) Cornell, Armand Gonzalez, Wren and Finn Cooney; great-granddaughter, Athena Cornell;
siblings, Thomas Myster, David Myster, Laura (Tom) Vinje; sister-in-law, JoAnn Myster; other loving relatives and many dear friends.
Bob was greeted in Heaven by his granddaughter, Olivia Myster: son-in-law, Edward Kyllonen; parents, Howard & Lois Myster; brother, Stuart Myster and sister-in-law, Arlene Myster.
