Robert John Olinger

Robert John Olinger, 88 of Mankato, died Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at New Perspective Senior Living in Mankato.

Visitation will be held from 5-7pm, Friday, May 24, 2019 at Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary. Memorial Mass will be 10:30am, Saturday, May 25, 2019 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato. Please share a memory of Robert with his family at www.mankatomortuary.com.

The family prefers memorials be directed to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8^th Avenue, 7^th Floor, New York, NY 10001 or online at www.alzfdn.org/support

Robert was born August 8, 1930 in Mankato to Clem and Marie (Spohr) Olinger. He graduated from Loyola High School in 1948. After graduation, Bob served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged. On September 10, 1955, Robert was united in marriage to the love of his life, Eleanor Myhill, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato.

Bob was co-owner of Olinger’s Garage with his brother, Jerry, for 44 years after taking over the business their father, Clem Olinger, started in 1930. Robert retired in 1994.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, golfing, playing cards, visiting the casino, drinking coffee on Saturday morning at the shop, and annual hunting trips to Canada.

Robert is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eleanor “Elly” of Mankato; children, Liz (Kyle) Meyers, Barb (Scott) Lundgren, and Tom (Tania) Olinger, all of Mankato; 4 grandchildren, Matthew Meyers, Sara (Blair) Riegel, Megan (Jeff) Weber, and Maddie Olinger; 2 great-grandchildren,  Otto Weber and Polly Riegel; and 1 brother, Jerry (Nan) Olinger.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and Phil Olinger… whom Bob held in high regard and greatly revered and admired.

The family wishes to express their sincerest thanks to the volunteers and staff of New Perspective Senior Living, St. Croix Hospice, and DaVita Dialysis in Mankato.