Robert Dean Applen, age 83 of Rochester, passed away on Monday, June 3, 2013 at Maple Manor Healthcare.

Bob was born on August 19, 1929 in Granger, MN to William and Laura Applen.  He grew up in Granger and attended the country school there. His four-person first-grade class was taught by the country school teacher, Bob's sister Alberta. Bob graduated from Harmony High School in 1947. Following high school, Bob worked on the family farm, where he developed an interest in honey bee keeping.  Bob became an accomplished gardener, and notably kept a large garden that surrounded the Viola Creamery. On November 1, 1951, he and five of his Granger friends, enlisted in the US Air Force. He serviced as an airplane mechanic in 509 Airborne Division. He was honorably discharged on November 1, 1954. Bob Worked as a mechanic for Gopher Aviation at the Rochester airport and Guesthouse Inc. until his retirement. He later worked at Rochester Central Lutheran School and the Elgin American Legion. On June 8, 1979 he married Delores Cassidy at the Viola Church.  Bob loved hunting and fishing, often times on Upper Iowa River, which flowed through his childhood farm. Bob was an expert story teller, and those who knew him, say he painted a vivid picture in their minds using the words of his stories.

Bob is survived by his wife Delores of Rochester, a brother Lauren Applen of Harmony, MN; step-children: Thomas (Carol) Cassidy, Daniel (Wanda) Cassidy, Mark (Cindy) Cassidy, Paul Cassidy and Richard Cassidy all of Rochester, Marcia (Frank) Greco of Naperville, IL, Judy (Tina) of San Diego, CA; nieces and nephews: Steve (Mary) Applen of Minneapolis, Scott (Jamie) Applen of Olathe, Kansas, Sharon Applen of Minneapolis, Sandy (Glen) Alberts of Hanover, MN, Bill (Susan) Kulstad of Ohio, Judy Turk of Richmond, VA, Sara (Irv) Gottesman of Minneapolis, Gary (Milla) Applen of Austin, MN, David (Jane) Bigalk of Harmony, MN, Rita (Jerry) Vollmer of Prior Lake, MN and Rosalie (George) Rusavic of Oronoco, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Odrie, and two sisters Margaret (Samuel) Bigalk and Alberta (William) Kulstad.

A funeral service for Bob will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, June 8, 2013 in The River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Burial will be in the St. Matthews Lutheran Cemetery in Granger, MN.

Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com