Robert Bunde

Robert Bunde passed away quietly Tuesday June 8, 2010 at Nelson County Health System Hospital, McVille, North Dakota after a long and brave battle with cancer.

Robert David Francis Bunde was born March 1, 1938 to Oscar and Ruth (Doud) Bunde at the family farm in Center Township, Nelson County, North Dakota. Robert attended country school at Center No. 4 one mile west of the farm until the family moved to McVille in 1947. Robert was an outstanding high school athlete and as a junior was a member of the first boys basketball team from McVille to make the state tournament placing third. Robert graduated from McVille High School in 1956.

Robert worked on the family farm and after graduation spent a winter in Idaho working in the Sunshine Silver Mine. When Robert returned to McVille he worked at Anderson's Super Valu. In January of 1961 Robert married Maxine Olson and they had one son, David. Robert and family moved to Cooperstown, ND to own and operate the Super Valu grocery store in Cooperstown for several years. After selling the grocery store Robert owned a bar for a couple of years and then was briefly in the oil business helping to sell leases to area landowners. Robert went to work as a carpenter for Swingen Construction and in 1972 moved the family back to McVille where he has resided since. Robert worked many years with Swingen's and in the off season drove school bus part time. After retiring from construction Robert drove school bus full time earning an award for 34 years of safe driving. Robert also served on the board of directors for Independence Lead Mines of Idaho.

Affectionately known as "Bugs" to his close friends, Robert was an avid card player, enjoyed reading and watching sports. Robert loved visiting his grandkids and enjoyed spoiling them doing things such as giving them ice cream for breakfast. He would occasionally stop and spoil the bus kids with treats also. Robert liked to watch and invest in the stock markets. In recent years Robert enjoyed helping many in the McVille community with tree trimming, weed spraying, fertilizing, planting flowers, etc. Robert was active in the community park system planting many trees and sprucing up the public areas of McVille.

Robert is survived by one son David (Nancy) Bunde and three grandchildren Kevin, Jacob and Sarah all of Parkers Prairie, MN. Robert is also survived by seven siblings: Margaret Barnes, Landers, CA; Merle Bunde, Clear Lake City, TX, Jerome (Carleen) Bunde, Wallace ID; Joyce (Jack) Pinto, Hanover, PA; Rosalie (Tracy) Naas, McVille, ND; Peter Bunde, Spokane, WA; and Sally Broomell, Jacobus, PA. Robert is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services for Robert will be Saturday June 19, 2010 at 11:00 am at Dakota Prairie Public School Gymnasium, McVille, ND. Inurnment will be at Center Cemetery, Nelson County, North Dakota. Arrangements with the Stanley-Iverson Funeral Home of McVille, ND.