Robert D. Ethen, 79, Waite Park

June 16, 1936 - August 2, 2015

Robert Duane Ethen, age 79, Waite Park, MN, died peacefully Sunday, August 2, 2015 at his home surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Benson Funeral Home Chapel, St. Cloud, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Thursday. Burial will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.

Robert was born June 16, 1936 in St. Cloud, MN to Louis H. and Frances A. (Mayhak) Ethen. He married Bernice M. Jaeger on June 5, 1964 in Day, SD. Robert served in the United States Army in Germany from 1958 to 1962. He was employed as a paramedic in Minneapolis and was a member of the Minneapolis Police Reserve. Robert lived in Minneapolis most of his adult life, moving back to St. Cloud after retirement.

Survivors include niece Rena Chrysler of Edina, MN; great niece Adelia (Megan Lee-Erickson) Chrysler of Minneapolis, MN; great nephew Nathaniel (Melissa) Chrysler of Minneapolis, MN; and his close friends and caregivers, Kim and Dennis Leither.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Bernice on February 4, 1987, brother Roger Ethen, and sisters Ruby Ethen and Mona Eickerman.