Robert Dean Mennen was born Jan. 13, 1943, at the Truman hospital upstairs to Andreas and Esther (Clark) Mennen. He attended school in Truman and graduated in the class of 1961. On Nov. 19, 1964, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam during combat, he was very proud to be a veteran and was awarded the Purple Heart. He returned to Truman and worked for the Bosshart Construction company and farmed. He married Dianne Grotte in March of 1970 and moved to the farm where they raised two children, Robynn and Randy, as well as farm livestock. Bob continued his work with W. Hodgman and Sons road construction where he was a road foreman and certified aggregate tester. He loved building roads and talking about them. He worked later for SMC when they bought out the company and retired in 2007. He later worked for Mark and James Hansen Farms during fall harvest seasons. He was happiest outdoors tinkering and putzing around his farm. He was a collector and enjoyed finding a bargain at auctions. He was always known for his bidding number #55. He enjoyed the tractor rides and was a supporter of the Truman community and was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW groups. He treasured his grandchildren, Jackie, Levi and Andrea. He loved teaching them to drive a straight stick transmission and giving them all the history of Truman and how much he paid for stuff. Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dianne of Truman; daughter, Robynn (Brad) Buhmann of Fairmont; son, Randy Mennen of Fairmont; grandchildren, Jackie (Jacob) Claude, Levi (Erica Serna) Buhmann and Andrea Mennen; brother, Richard “Punky” Mennen of Truman; nieces, Sara Mennen, and Jennifer (Jason) Medlin; nephews, Devin Mennen, and Jeremy (Susan) Grotte; brothers-in-law, Mike Grotte of Granada, and Richard Grotte of Sherburn; other relatives including Jeff and Joelle Mennen; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; younger brother, Roy Mennen; sisters-in-law, Sharon Mennen and Linda Grotte.

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