Robert Koellen

Robert “Bob” William Koellen, age 79 of Montello passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, August 30, 2025 surrounded by his family. Bob was born in Watertown on January 10, 1946 to Joseph and Evelyn (Schaeffer) Koellen. He attended Watertown High School and married Barbara Reszynski at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Richwood, Wisconsin on July 3, 1964. Together they raised their family in Watertown. Bob was employed with the Milwaukee Railroad for a few years, he drove semi for Honk Trucking out of Watertown and then went to work for Rennhack Construction out of Reeseville for many years until 1991, when they relocated to rural Montello and enjoyed their home on Buffalo Lake. Bob wasn’t one to sit still, he worked for Davis Construction out of Portage until he retired in 2014. 

Bob had a rich and varied life filled with interest that spanned from working with his horses, tractor pulling, and spending time with his family. His love for attending steam shows, stock car racing and even gunsmithing gives a strong sense of his adventurous and hands-on nature. He had a great bond with his family, especially his grandsons who he shared his life stories with that brought the past to life. The life lessons he shared will live on through them. Bob’s outlaw attitude was one of the things that made him standout. He enjoyed his gun collection, hunting, fishing, watching tractor shows with his brother, Tom and lastly antiquing with his wife and twin sisters. Bob’s passion for westerns painted a picture of someone who appreciated a bit of ruggedness and nostalgia. 

Bob is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barb and seven children: Connie (Dan) Weissenrieder, Craig (DeAnn), Chad, Tina Rosenberg, Christine (Joseph) Canales, Joseph (Lara) and Brenda (Brian) Von Rueden as well as eleven grandchildren: Cailee (fiance, Tim), Danielle, Tanner, Ashlyn (Caleb), Heidi (Wyatt), Raymond (Alexis), Eric (Michaela), Jayden, Zander, Slone and Stella. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren: Addalynn, Ines, Harvey, Trenton, Brody, Callie and Mason as well as sister, Arlene Retterath and brother, Tom and other extended family members. 

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Agnes (Chuck), Lloyd (Lois), Audrey (John) and brother-in-law, Mike Retterath. 

The family would like to thank Agrace Hospice and Father Bill of All Saints Parish in Berlin for all their care and support during this difficult time.

Honoring Bob’s wishes, private family services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred to the family and can be sent to: P.O. Box 401, Packwaukee, WI 53953.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com