Robert Edward Moritz of Cokato, MN died January 21, 2026 peacefully at the age of 88.
He was born in Milford, Iowa on February 16, 1937.
Robert was blessed with a true and thankful heart that grew throughout his life from his
Christian faith. Robert was the oldest son of John and Evelyn Moritz and grew up
alongside his beloved sister Karen and brother Lynn. Surrounded by a large extended
family of thirteen aunt-and-uncle couples and more than forty first cousins, Robert’s
Iowa childhood was filled with strong family bonds that remained important to him
throughout his life.
Over the course of his lifetime, Robert witnessed remarkable changes—from kerosene
lamps and horse-drawn wagons to electricity, tractors, televisions, computers, and cell
phones. He embraced each new era with appreciation and curiosity.
Blessed with health, opportunity, and the freedoms of his country, Robert built a diverse
and accomplished career. He served as an altar boy, farmer, carpenter, sailor in the
United States Navy, electronics technician, TV repairman, college student, machinist,
electrical engineer, computer developer, PC assembler, LAN technician, and eventually
a retired remodeling handyman. He often reflected on how profoundly his parents’
written permission to enlist in the Navy at seventeen—and to marry the love of his life at
twenty—shaped his future for the better.
In 1957, Robert married Kathryn, the true love and light of his life for 65 years. Together
they raised five daughters, all of whom married, settled nearby, and built strong families
of their own. Robert and Kathryn were blessed with eleven grandchildren and five great-
grandchildren. Their homes spanned California, Iowa, Ontario, and Minnesota, with four
of those homes in Minnesota where they built lasting community.
Robert placed great value on faith, family, and purposeful work. A lifelong Christian, he
firmly believed in God the Father almighty, in Jesus Christ his Son, and in the
resurrection and life to come. He took pride in the strength, happiness, and
independence of his children’s families and often reflected on how fortunate they were
to live in a country of freedom and opportunity.
He treasured the advice of his Aunt Marie, who once told him that “the most important
thing in life is your family”—a truth he lived by every day.
Fortunate to maintain good health, Robert remained independent in his own home for all
but a few weeks. Reflecting on his life, Robert recognized how truly fortunate he had
been: for love, family, faith, meaningful work, and the blessings of living in the United
States.
Robert is survived by his children: Carolyn (Robert) Isch, Lori (Jeffery) Vetter, Marcia
(Kevin Curran) Moritz, Mary (David) Andreasen, and Lisa Andreasen, 12 grandchildren:
John Isch, Anita (Isch) and Ryan Troyer, Katrina Isch, Jacob and Sarah (Ooms) Vetter,
Serena Throughbred, Katie Curran, Aaron Andreasen, Paul Andreasen, Annamarie
(Andreasen) and Robert Eckwright IV, Mitchell Andreasen and wife Amanda Gerold,
Clark Andreasen, Celeste Andreasen and fiance Alex Sell, 5 great-grandchildren: Lydia
Troyer, Lucy Troyer, Ella Troyer, Ryan Vetter, Reese Vetter, his brother Lynn (Darlene)
Moritz, brother-in-law, Carl (Sally) Ingwersen and sister-in-law, Marilyn Bates. He was
preceded in death by his parents, John and Evelyn Moritz, sister, Karen McClurg,
brother-in-law, Ed McClurg, brother-in-law, Robert Ingwersen, sister-in-law, Neva
Ingwersen, and brother-in-law, Irwin Bates.
Funeral service: Friday, January 30 at 11am with visitation 1 hour prior at St. John’s
Lutheran Church in Howard Lake.
Interment: North Crow River Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home. swansonpeterson.com 320 543 3401.
Jan
26